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J  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  | 

%  Princeton,  N.J.  % 

*  t 


BV    4832    .M67    1850 

More,    Hannah,    1745-1833.       ^ 

tL   book  of   private   devotiop 


^c^^^< 


/  0^  -^ 


THE    BOOK 


PRIVATE  DEVOTION 


The  fftoTiotu jfrgsence   of  God.-wTrichI  lona far.  and 
the  swtet  feZlov/sh^  of  Jnyeh  atii  nzmis  " 

O  deaffl.-wTiere  is  ilty  simp?  O  ffrave.  where  zs-i^  vtetery! 
I'^Ccr.  75- i 


THE    BOOK 


PRIVATE   DEVOTION 

A     SERIES     OF 

PRAYERS  AND   MEDITATIONS: 


AN  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY  ON  PRAYER. 


CHIEFLY    FROM    THE    WRITINGS    OF 


HANNAH  MORE. 


REVISED     AND     ENLARGED. 


"  Enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  thy  door, 
pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret." 


NEW  YORK: 

ROBERT  CARTER  &  BROTHERS, 

285  Broadway. 

1850. 


,y'  ,  {^rtnir 


TH' 


CONTENTS. 


FAOE 

Introductory  Essay  on  Prayer         ....       11 


THOUGHTS  ON  PRIVATE  DEVOTION. 

Chap.  I.— Advantages  of  PriTate  Prayer  .  .  39 
Chap.  II,— On  the  Neglect  of  Private  Prayer  .  .  70 
Chap.  III.— Directions,  &c 90 

MORNING  PRAYERS  FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK  103 — 127 
EVENING  PRAYERS  FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK    127—142 

Short  Foi-ms  for  INIomlng  and  Evening        .       .       .      143 

OCCASIONAL    PRAYERS. 

For  New- Year's  Day 147 

For  a  Birth-Day  148 

Before  receiving  the  Sacrament  151  idem  152 

Confession  of  Sin 154 

For  Repentance 155 

For  the  Pardon  of  Sin 156 


5 


VI  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

For  Faith       .       .  ....        158  idem  159 

For  Strength  to  resist  Temptations    ....        160 

For  Watchfulness  against  Sin  .       .        162  idem  164 

On  Reading  the  Scriptures         .  •     .       .       .       .        165 

For  Meekness 166 

For  Spiritualized  Affections 167 

For  Holiness 169  idem  170 

Against  Wandering  Thoughts  in  Prayer    ...        172 

For  a  right  use  of  Time 173 

For  God's  Direction  175 

For  Humility 176 

For  the  Love  of  God 177 

For  Patience  under  Afflictions  .        .        179  idem  180 

Under  Spiritual  Trouble 181 

An  Invocation  to  the  Spirit 184 

For  the  Graces  of  the  Sphit 185 

Gratitude  to  God  for  Spiritual  blessings       .       .        187 

Before  going  a  Journey  189 

For  the  Spread  of  the  Gospel  .       .        .       .        190 

For  Resignation  to  the  Divine  Will  .       .        .        192 

In  the  Prospect  of  Death  ...  .194 

Ejaculations  under  various  Circumstances  .        ,    196—202 


CONTENTS. 

vii 

DEVOUT    MEDITATIONS. 

PAGE 

On  Communion  with  God  in  secret 

203 

On  the  WiUingness  of  the  Saviour    . 

205 

Ou  the  Love  of  the  Saviour       .... 

206 

God,  the  Friend  of  his  People 

208 

For  the  Sabbath 

209 

On  the  Loss  of  Beloved  Friends 

210 

On  the  Hindrances  to  a  Holy  Life      . 

212 

On  the  Goodness  of  God 

213 

On  Christ  as  a  Refuge 

.        215 

On  Devoting  ourselves  to  God 

216 

On  Prayer 

217 

On  the  Sufferings  of  Christ        .... 

.        219 

On  Death 

221     ! 

On  the  Joys  of  Heaven 

1 
222 

A    COURSE    OF    SELF-EXAMINATION       .           .           .          S 

J2^254 

DEVOTIONAL   POETRY. 

Above— below— where'er  I  gaze 

.        258 

A  shadow  moving  by  one's  side 

.        271 

As  much  have  T  of  worldly  good 

280 

Beyond  the  deep  Atlantic  waves 

.        335 

Bread  of  Heaven !— on  thee  I  feed     . 

302 

Brightest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  mommg  . 

295      ! 

Viii                           CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

But  art  thou  thua  indeed  alone          , 

277 

But  if  our  tliought."?  are  fixed  aright 

314 

Come,  escape  from  the  tempests  of  life    . 

289 

Faith,  "like  an  unsuspecting  child 

262 

Far  from  the  world,  0  Lord,  I  flee     . 

289 

Flowers,  wherefore  do  ye  bloom  ?     . 

285 

«  He  was  there  alone,"  when  even    . 

341 

Here,  bliss  is  short,  imperfect,  insecure 

281 

Hope  sets  the  stamp  of  vanity  on  all 

264 

I  asked  a  man  of  sorrow  and  of  tears 

315 

I  asked  an  aged  man,  a  man  of  cares 

316 

I  love  to  listen  when  the  winds  blow  high 

337 

If  human  kindness  meets  return 

303 

It  is  not  that  my  lot  is  low 

275 

Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken 

298 

Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  hear  our  vows 

327 

Lord,  when  we  bend  before  thy  throne 

.        274 

Moved  by  a  strange  mysterious  power 

.        332 

0  draw  me.  Saviour,  after  Thee 

.       297 

O  God,  thou  art  my  God  alone  . 

.       255 

Oh,  for  a  closer  walk  with  God 

.        291 

Oh,  thou  who  dry'st  the  mourner's  tear 

304 

Oh,  thou  whose  mercy  guides  my  way 

.       308 

Our  life  how  short,  a  groan,  a  sigh    . 

1 

323 

C  O  NTENTS. 


Saviour !  when  in  dust  to  thee  . 

Sweet  the  moments,  rich  in  blessing 

That  man  no  guard  nor  weapon  needs 

The  days  and  years  of  time  are  fled 

The  dove  let  loose  in  eastern  skies    . 

There  is  a  world  we  have  not  seen    . 

Thee  will  T  love,  my  strength  and  tower 

The  golden  palace  of  my  God    . 

The  Lord,  how  tender  is  his  love 

There  is  an  hour  of  peaceful  rest 

Thou  didst,  O  mighty  God,  exist 

Through  sorrow's  night  and  danger's  path 

Tlirough  the  skies  when  the  thunder  is  hurl'd 

To-morrow !— mortal,  boast  not  thou 

What  is  life  ?— a  rapid  stream    .... 

What  is  the  world  ?— a  wildering  maze     . 

When  one  that  holds  communion  with  the  skies 

When  on  Sinai's  top  I  see  .... 

When  forced  to  part  from  those  we  love  . 

When  gathering  clouds  around  I  view 

When  in  the  hours  of  lonely  wo        .       .       . 

When  streaming  from  the  eastern  skies    . 

When  the  orb  of  morn  enlightens 

Where  high  the  heavenly  temple  stands  . 


PRIVATE  DEVOTION. 


PART    I. 


AN    INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY    ON    PRAYER 
AND    PRIVATE    DEVOTION. 


AN    INTRODUCTORY 


ESSAY   ON   PRAYER, 


Prayer  is  the  application  of  want  to 
Him  who  alone  can  relieve  it — the  confes- 
sion of  sin  to  Him  who  alone  can  pardon 
it.  It  is  the  urgency  of  poverty,  the  pros- 
tration of  humility,  the  fervency  of  peni- 
tence, the  confidence  of  trust.  It  is  not 
eloquence,  but  earnestness;  not  the  de- 
finition of  helplessness,  but  the  feehng  of 
it :  not  figures  of  speech,  but  compunction 
of  soul.  It  is  the  "Lord,  save  us^  we 
perish,"  of  drowning  Peter — the  cry  of 
faith  to  the  ear  of  mercy. 


14  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

Adoration  is  the  noblest  employment  of 
created  beings  ;  confession  the  natural  lan- 
guage of  guilty  creatures  ;  gratitude  the 
spontaneous  expression  of  pardoned  sin- 
ners. Prayer  is  desire :  it  is  not  r  mere 
conception  of  tlie  mind,  not  an  effort  of  the 
intellect,  not  an  act  of  tlie  memory,  but  an 
elevation  of  the  soul  towards  its  Maimer ;  a 
pressing  sense  of  our  own  ignorance  and 
infirmity,  a  consciousness  of  the  perfections 
of  God,  of  his  readiness  to  hear,  of  his 
power  to  help,  of  his  willingness  to  save. 
It  is  not  an  emotion  produced  in  the  senses, 
nor  an  effect  wrought  by  the  imagination ; 
but  a  determination  of  the  will,  an  effusion 
of  the  heart. 

Prayer  is  an  act  both  of  the  understand- 
ing and  of  the  heart.  The  understanding 
must  apply  itself  to  the  knowledge  of  the 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  15 

Divine  perfections,  or  the  heart  will  not  be 
led  to  the  adoration  of  them.  It  would 
not  be  a  reasonable  service  if  the  mind 
were  excluded.  It  must  be  rational  wor- 
ship, or  the  human  worshipper  will  not 
brino'  to  the  service  the  distino-uishins^ 
faculty  of  his  nature,  which  is  reason.  It 
must  be  spiritual  worship,  or  it  will  want 
tlie  distinctive  quahty  to  make  it  accepta- 
ble to  Him  who  is  a  spirit,  and  who  has 
declared  that  he  will  be  worshipped  "  in 
sphit  and  in  truth." 

Man  is  not  only  a  sinful  but  also  a  help- 
less, and  therefore  a  dependant  being.  This 
offers  new  and  powerful  motives  to  prayer, 
and  shoAYs  the  necessity  of  looking  con- 
tinual]^' to  a  higher  power,  to  a  better 
strength  than  our  o\n\.  If  that  Power  sus- 
tains us  not  we  fall :  if  He  direct  us  not  we 


16  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

wander.  His  guidance  is  not  only  perfect 
freedom,  but  perfect  safety.  Our  greatest 
danger  begins  from  the  moment  we  imagine 
we  are  able  to  go  alone. 

He  who  does  not  believe  this  fundamen- 
tal truth,  "  the  helplessness  of  man,"  on 
which  the  other  doctrines  of  the  Bible  are 
built — even  he  who  does  nominally  profess 
to  assent  to  it  as  a  doctrine  of  Scripture, 
yet  if  he  does  not  experimentally  acknow- 
ledge it — if  he  does  not  feel  it  in  the  con- 
victions of  his  own  awakened  conscience, 
in  his  discovery  of  the  evil  workings  of  his 
own  heart,  and  the  wrong  propensities  of 
his  own  nature,  all  bearing  their  testimony 
to  its  truth, — such  a  one  will  not  pray 
earnestly  for  its  cure — will  not  pray  with 
that  feeling  of  his  own  helplessness,  with 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  l7 

that  -ense  of  dependance  on  Divine  assist- 
ance which  alone  makes  prayer  efficacious. 

Nothing  will  make  us  truly  humble, 
nothing  will  make  us  constantly  \igilant, 
nothing  will  entirely  lead  us  to  have  re- 
course to  prayer,  so  fervently  or  so  fre- 
quently as  this  ever- abiding  sense  of  our 
corrupt  and  helpless  nature,  as  our  not  be- 
ing able  to  ascnbe  any  disposition  in  our- 
selves to  anything  that  is  good,  or  any 
power  to  avoid,  by  our  own  strength,  any- 
thing that  is  evil. 

Prayer  is  right  in  itself  as  the  most 
powerful  means  of  resisting  sin  and  ad- 
vancing in  holiness.  It  is  above  all  right, 
as  everything  is  which  has  the  authority 
of  Scripture,  the  command  of  God,  and  the 
example  of  Christ, 

There  is  perfect  consistency  in  all  the 


18  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ordinances  of  God  ;  a  perfect  congruity  in 
the  whole  scheme  of  his  dispensations.  If 
man  were  not  a  corrupt  creature,  such 
prayer  as  the  gospel  enjoins  would  not 
have  been  necessary.  Had  not  prayer  been 
an  important  means  for  curing  those  cor- 
ruptions, a  God  of  perfect  wisdom  would 
not  have  ordered  it.  He  would  not  have 
prohibited  everything  which  tends  to  in- 
flame and  promote  them,  had  they  not  ex- 
isted ;  nor  would  he  have  commanded 
everything  that  has  a  tendency  to  diminish 
and  remove  them,  had  not  their  existence 
been  fatal.  Prayer,  therefore,  is  an  indis- 
pensable part  of  his  economy  and  of  our 
obedience. 

We  cannot  attain  to  a  just  notion  of 
prayer  while  we  remain  ignorant  of  our 
own  nature,  of  the  nature  of  God  as  re- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION,  19 

vealed  in  Scripture,  of  our  relations  to  him, 
and  of  our  dependanee  on  him.  If,  there- 
fore, we  do  not  Hve  in  the  daily  study  of 
the  holy  Scriptures,  we  shall  want  the 
highest  motive  to  this  duty,  and  the  best 
helps  for  performing  it ;  if  we  do,  the  co- 
gency of  these  motives,  and  the  inestimable 
value  of  these  helps,  will  render  argument 
unnecessary,  and  exhortation  superfluous. 

One  cause,  therefore,  of  the  "dulness  of 
many  Christians  in  prayer  is  their  slight 
acquaintance  with  the  sacred  volume. 
They  hear  it  periodically,  they  read  it  oc- 
casionally, they  ai-e  contented  to  know  it 
historically,  to  consider  it  superficially; 
but  they  do  not  endeavor  to  get  their 
minds  imbued  with  its  spirit.  If  they  store 
their  memory  with  its  facts,  they  do  not 
impress  their  hearts  with  its  truth.     They 


20  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

do  not  regard  it  as  the  nutriment  on  Avhich 
their  spiritual  life  and  growth  depend. 
They  do  not  pray  over  it ;  they  do  not 
consider  all  its  doctrines  as  of  practical 
application ;  they  do  not  cultivate  that  spi- 
ritual discernment  which  alone  can  enable 
them  judiciously  to  appropriate  its  pro- 
mises, and  apply  its  denunciations,  to  tlieir 
own  actual  case.  They  do  not  use  it  as 
an  unerring  line  to  ascertain  their  own 
rectitude,  or  detect  their  own  obliquity. 

Though  we  cannot  pray  with  a  too  deep 
sense  of  sin,  w^e  may  make  our  sins  too  ex- 
clusively the  object  of  our  prayers.  While 
we  keep,  with  a  self- debasing  eye,  our  own 
corruptions  in  view,  let  us  look  with  equal 
intentness  on  that  mercy  which  clc;inscth 
from  all  sin.  Let  our  prayers  be  all  hu- 
miliation, but  let  them  not  be   all   com- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  21 

plaint.  When  men  indulge  no  other 
thought  but  that  they  are  rebels,  the  hope- 
lessness of  pardon  hardens' them  into  dis- 
loyalty. Let  us  look  to  the  mercy  of  the 
King  as  well  as  to  the  rebellion  of  the 
subject.  If  we  contemplate  his  grace  as 
displayed  in  the  gospel,  then,  though  our 
humility  will  increase,  our  despair  will 
vanish.  Gratitude  in  this,  as  in  human  in- 
stances, will  create  affection: — "We  love 
him,  because  he  first  loved  us." 

Let  us,  therefore,  always  keep  our  un- 
worthiness  in  view,  to  remind  us  that  we 
stand  in  need  of  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ, 
but  never  plead  it  as  a  reason  why  we 
should  not  draw  nigh  to  him  to  implore 
that  mercy.  The  best  men  are  unworthy 
for  their  own  sakes ;  the  worst,  on  repent- 


22  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

ance,  will  be  accepted  for  His  sake  and 
through  his  merits. 

In  prayer,  then,  the  perfections  of  God, 
and  especially  his  mercies  in  our  redemp- 
tion, should  occupy  om*  thoughts  as  much 
as  our  sins  ;  our  obligations  to  him  as  much 
as  our  departures  from  him.  We  should 
keep  up  in  our  hearts  a  constant  sense  of 
our  own  weakness,  not  with  a  design  to 
discourage  the  mind  and  depress  the  spi- 
rits, but  with  a  view  to  drive  us  out  of 
ourselves  in  search  of  the  Divine  assist- 
ance. We  should  contemplate  our  in- 
firmity in  order  to  draw  us  to  look  for  liis 
strength,  and  to  seek  that  power  from  God 
which  we  vainly  look  for  in  ourselves  :  we 
do  not  tell  a  sick  friend  of  his  danger  in 
order  to  grieve  and  terrify  him,  but  to  in- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  23 

duee  him  to  apply  to  his  physician,  and  to 
have  recourse  to  his  remedy. 

The  success  of  prayer,  though  promised 
to  all  who  offer  it  in  perfect  sincerity,  is 
not  so  frequently  promised  to  the  cry  of 
distress,  to  the  impulse  of  fear,  or  the 
emergency  of  the  moment,  as  to  humble 
perseverance  in  devotion ;  it  is  to  patient 
waiting,  to  assiduous  solicitation,  to  un- 
wearied importunity  that  God  has  declared 
that  He  will  lend  His  ear,  that  He  will  give 
the  communication  of  His  Spirit,  that  He 
will  grant  the  return  of  our  requests, 
Nothing  but  this  holy  perseverance  can 
keep  up  In  our  minds  a  humble  sense  of 
our  dependance.  It  Is  not  by  a  mere  casual 
petition,  however  passionate,  but  by  ha- 
bitual application,  that  devout  affections 
are  excited  and  maintained,  that  our  con- 


24  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

verse  with  Heaven  is  carried  on.  It  is  by- 
no  other  means  that  \\c  c:in  be  assured, 
with  St.  Paul,  that  "  we  are  risen  with 
Christ,"  but  this  obvious  one — that  we 
thus  seek  the  things  which  are  above ;  that 
the  heart  is  renovated ;  that  the  mind  is 
hfted  above  this  low  scene  of  things ;  that 
the  spirit  breathes  in  a  purer  atmosphere  ; 
that  the  whole  man  is  enlightened,  and 
strengthened,  and  purified ;  and  that  the 
more  frequently  so  the  more  nearly  we 
approach  to  the  throne  of  God.  We  shall 
find  also,  that  prayer  not  only  expresses 
but  elicits  the  Divine  grace. 

Prayer  draws  all  the  Christian  graces 
into  its  focus.  It  draws  Charity,  followed 
by  her  lovely  train,  her  forbearance  with 
faults,  her  forgiveness  of  injuiies,  her  pity 
for  errors,  her  compassion  for  want.     It 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  25 

draws  Repentance,  with  her  holy  sorrows, 
her  pious  resolutions,  her  self-distrust.     It 
attracts  Faith,  Avith   her   elevated   eye — 
Hope,  with   her  grasped  anchor — Benefi- 
cence, with  her  open  hand — Zeal,  looking 
far  and  wide  to  serve — Humility,  with  in- 
troverted eye,  looking  at  home.     Prayer, 
by  quickening  these  graces  in  the  heart, 
warms  them  into  life,  tits  them  for  service, 
and  dismisses  each  to  its  appropriate  prac- 
tice.      Cordial   prayer   is  mental   virtue; 
Christian  virtue  is  spiritual  action.     The 
mould    into   which  genuine   prayer   casts 
the  soul  is  not  effliced  by  the  suspension 
of  the  act,  but  retains  some  touches  of  the 
impression  till  the  act  is  repeated. 

But  he  to  whom  the  duty  of  prayer  is 
unknown,  and  by  whom  the  privilege  of 
prayer  is  unfelt ;  or  he  by  whom  it  is  neg- 


26  PRIVATE     DEVOTION 


lected  ;  or  he  who  uses  it  for  form  and  not 
from  feeling,  may  probably  say.  Will  this 
work,  wearisome  even  if  necessary,  never 
know  an  end?  Will  the/e  be  no  period 
when  God  will  dispense  with  its  legular 
exercise?  Will  there  never  be  such  an 
attainment  of  the  end  proposed,  as  that 
we  may  be  allowed  to  discontinue  the 
means  ? 

To   these   interroo-atories    there  is  but 

o 

one  answer — an  answer  which  shall  be  also 
made  by  an  appeal  to  the  inquirer  himself. 
If  there  be  any  day  in  which  we  are 
quite  certain  that  we  shall  meet  witii  no 
trial  from  Providence,  no  temptation  from 
the  world ;  any  day  in  which  we  shall  be 
sure  to  have  no  wrong  tempers  excited  in 
ourselves,  no  call  to  bear  with  those  of 
others,   no  misfortune  to    encounter,   and 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  27 

no  need  of  Divine  assistance  to  endiu'e  it ; 
on  that  morning  we  may  safely  omit  prayer. 

If  tlierc  be  an  evening  in  which  we 
have  received  no  protection  from  God,  and 
experienced  no  mercy  at  his  hands  ;  if  we 
have  not  neglected  a  single  opportunity  of 
doing  or  receiving  good ;  if  We  are  quite 
certain  ihat  we  have  not  once  spoken  un- 
advisedly with  our  lips,  nor  entertained  one 
vain  or  idle  thought  in  our  heart ;  on  that 
night  we  may  safely  omit  to  praise  God, 
and  to  confess  our  own  sinfulness  ;  on  that 
night  we  may  safely  omit  humiliation  and 
thanksgiving.  To  repeat  the  converse 
would  be  superfluous. 

Wiien  we  can  conscientiously  say,  that 
rehg'on  has  given  a  tone  to  om*  conduct,  a 
law  to  our  actions,  a  rule  to  our  thoughts,  a 
bridle  to  oar  tongue,  a  restraint  to  every 


28  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

wrong  passion,  a  check  to  every  ill  temper, 
then  some  will  say.  We  may  safely  be  dis- 
missed from  the  drudgery  of  prayer,  it  will 
then  have  answered  all  the  ends  which  you 
so  tiresomely  recommend.  So  far  from 
it,  we  really  figure  to  om-selves,  that  if 
we  could  hope  to  hear  of  a  human  being- 
taught  to  such  perfection  of  disciphne,  it 
would  unquestionably  be  found  that  this 
would  be  the  very  being  who  would  con- 
tinue most  perseveringly  in  the  practice  of 
that  devotion  which  had  so  materially  con- 
tributed to  bring  his  heart  and  mind  into 
so  desirable  a  state,  who  would  most  trem- 
ble to  discontinue  prayer,  who  would  be 
most  appalled  at  the  thought  of  the  con- 
dition into  which  such  discontinuance  would 
be  likely  to  reduce  him.  Whatever  others 
dq,he  will  continue  forever  to  "  sing  praises 


PRIVATE     D  E  V  O  T  I  0  X  .  29 


unto  Thee,  0  Tlioii  most  Highest ;  he  will 
continue  to  tell  of  Thy  loving-kindness 
eai-lv  in  the  morning,  and  of  thy  truth  in 
the  night-season." 

Our  reluctant  devotions  may  remind  us 
of  the  remark  of  a  certain  great  political 
wit,  who  apologized  for  his  late  attendance 
in  Parliament  by  his  being  detained  while 
a  party  of  soldiers  were  dragging  a  volun- 
teer to  his  duty.  How  many  excuses  do 
we  find  for  not  being  in  time !  How  many 
apologies  for  brevity  !  How  many  evasions 
for  neo'lect !  How  unwilling,  too  often,  are 
we  to  come  into  the  di\'ine  presence,  how 


I 
i 
1 
'    reluctant  to  remain  in  it?     Those  hours 


I  v-^hich  are  least  valuable  for  business,  which 
are  least  seasonable  for  pleasure,  we  com- 
monly give  to  religion.  Our  energies  which 
were  so  exerted  in  the  society  we  have  just 


30  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

quitted,  are  sunk  as  we  approach  the  divine 
presence.  Our  hearts,  which  were  all  ala- 
crity in  some  frivolous  conversation,  be- 
come cold  and  inanimate,  as  if  it  were  the 
natural  property  of  devotion  to  freeze  the 
affections.  Our  animal  spirits,  which  so 
readily  performed  their  functions  before, 
now  slacken  their  vigor  and  lose  their  vi- 
vacity. The  sluggish  body  sympathizes 
with  the  unwilling  mind,  and  each  pro- 
motes the  deadness  of  the  other ;  both  are 
slow  in  listening  to  the  call  of  duty  ;  botli 
are  soon  weary  in  performing  it.  As 
prayer  requires  all  the  energies  of  the 
compound  being  of  man,  so  we  too  often 
feel  as  if  there  were  a  conspiracy  of  body, 
soul,  and  spirit,  to  decline  and  disqualify 
us  for  it. 

To  be  deeply  impressed  with  a  few  fun- 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  31 

damental  truths,  to  digest  them  thoroughly, 
to  meditate  on  them  seriously,  to  praj^  over 
them  fervently,  to  get  them  deeply  rooted 
in  the  heart,  will  be  more  productive  of 
faith  and  holiness  than  to  labor  after  vari- 
ety, ingenuity,  or  elegance.  The  indul- 
gence of  imao-ination  will  rather  distract 
than  edify.  Searching  after  ingenious 
thoughts  will  rather  divert  the  attention 
from  God  to  om-selves,  than  promote  fix- 
edness of  thought,  singleness  of  uitention, 
and  devotedness  of  spirit.  Whatever  is 
subtle  and  refined,  is  in  danger  of  being 
imscriptural.  If  we  do  not  guard  the  mind, 
it  will  learn  to  wander  in  quest  of  novel- 
ties. It  will  set  more  value  on  original 
thoughts  than  devout  aflfections.  It  is  the 
business  of  prayer  to  cast  down  imagina- 
tions which  gratify  the  natural  activity  of 


32  PRIVATE    DEVOTIo:^^. 

the  mind,  while  they  leave  the  heart  un- 
hiimbled. 

We  sliould  confine  ourselves  to  the  pre- 
sent business  of  the  present  moment ;  we 
should  keep  the  mind  in  a  state  of  per- 
petual dependance.  "  Now  is  the  accepted 
time."  "  To-day  we  must  hear  his  voice." 
"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread."  The 
manna  Avill  not  keep  till  to-morrow:  to- 
morrow will  have  its  own  wants,  and  must 
have  its  own  petitions.  To-morrow  we 
must  seek  the  bread  of  heaven  afresh. 

We  should,  however,  avoid  coming  to 
our  devotions  with  unfurnished  minds.  We 
should  be  always  laying  in  materials  for 
prayer,  by  a  diligent  course  of  serious  read- 
ino-,  by  treasuring  up  in  our  minds  the  most 
important  truths,  and  by  a  careful  and 
solemn  self-examination.     If  we  rush  into 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  33 

the  divine  presence  Avith  a  vacant,  or  igno- 
rant, or  unprepared  mind,  with  a  heart  fill- 
ed with  the  world ;  as  we  shall  feel  no 
disposition  or  qualification  for  the  work  we 
are  about  to  engage  in,  so  we  cannot  expect 
that  our  petitions  will  be  heard  or  granted. 
There  must  be  some  congruity  between  the 
heart  and  the  object,  some  affinity  between 
the  state  of  our  minds  and  the  business  iu 
which  they  are  employed,  if  we  would  ex- 
pect success  in  the  work. 

We  are  often  deceived  both  as  to  the 
principle  and  the  effect  of  our  prayers. 
When  from  some  external  cause  the  heart 
is  glad,  the  spirits  light,  the  thoughts  rea- 
sonable, the  tongue  voluble,  a  kind  of  spon- 
taneous eloquence  is  the  result ;  with  this 
we  are  pleased,  and  this  ready  flow  we  are 
ready  to  impose  on  ourselves  for  piety. 


34  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

On  tlie  other  hand,  when  the  mind  is 
dejected,  the  animal  spirits  low,  the 
thoughts  confused ;  when  apposite  words 
do  not  readily  present  themselves,  we  are 
apt  to  accuse  our  hearts  of  want  of  fervor, 
to  lament  our  weakness,  and  to  mourn  that, 
because  we  have  no  pleasure  in  praying, 
our  prayers  have,  therefore,  not  ascended 
to  the  throne  of  mercy.  In  both  cases  we 
perhaps  judge  ourselves  unfaiily.  These 
unready  accents,  these  faltering  praises, 
these  ill- expressed  petitions  may  find  more 
acceptance  than  the  florid  talk  with  which 
we  were  so  well  satisfied  :  the  latter  con- 
sisted, it  may  be,  of  shining  thoughts  float- 
ing on  the  fancy,  eloquent  words  dwelling 
only  on  the  lips  :  the  former  was  the  sigh- 
ing of  a  contrite  heart,  abased  by  the  feel- 
ing of  its  own  uuAvorthiness,  and  awed  by 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  35 

the  perfections  of  a  holy  and  heart-search- 
ing God.  The  heart  is  dissatisfied  with  its 
own  dull  and  tasteless  repetitions,  which, 
with  all  their  imperfections,  infinite  good- 
ness may  perhaps  hear  with  favor.  We 
may  not  only  be  elated  with  the  fluency, 
but  even  with  the  fervency  of  our  prayers. 
Vanity  may  grow  out  of  the  very  act  of 
renouncing  it,  and  we  may  begin  to  feel 
proud  at  having  humbled  om-selves  so 
eloquently. 

There  is,  however,  a  strain  and  spirit 
of  prayer  equally  distinct  from  that  facihty 
and  copiousness  for  which  we  certainly  are 
never  the  better  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
from  that  constraint  and  dryness  for  which 
we  may  be  never  the  worse.  There  is  a 
simple,  solid,  pious  strain  of  prayer,  in 
which  the  supphcant  is  so  filled  and  oc- 


86  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

cupied  with  a  sense  of  his  own  dependance, 
and  of  the  importance  of  the  things  for 
which  he  asks,  and  so  persuaded  of  the 
power  and  grace  of  God  through  Christ 
to  p-ive  him  those  thingrs,  that  while  he  is 
engaged  in  it,  he  does  not  merely  imagine, 
but  feels  assured  that  God  is  nigh  to  him 
as  a  reconciled  Father,  so  that  every  bur- 
den and  doubt  are  taken  off  from  his  mind. 
"He  knows,"  as  St.  John  expresses  it, 
"  that  he  has  the  petition  he  desired  of 
God,"  and  he  feels  the  truth  of  that  pro- 
mise, "  while  they  speak  I  will  hear."  This 
is  the  perfection  of  prayer. 

Prayer  is  the  soul's  sincere  desire, 

CJnuttered  or  expressed  ; 
The  motion  of  a  hidden  fire 
That  trembles  in  the  breast. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX. 


The  falling  of  a  tear  ; 
The  upwai-d  glancing  of  an  eye, 
When  none  but  God  is  near. 

Prayer  is  the  simplest  form  of  speech, 

The  infant  lips  can  try  ; 
Prayer  the  sublimest  strains  that  reach 

The  majesty  on  high. 

Prayer  is  the  Christian's  vital  breathy. 

The  Christian's  native  air. 
His  watchwords  at  the  gates  of  death  ; 
He  enters  heaven  by  prayer. 

Prayer  is  the  contrite  sinner's  voice, 

Retm'ning  from  his  ways, 
"While  angels  in  their  songs  rejoice, 

And  say,  "  Behold  he  prays." 

The  saints  in  prayer  appear  as  one^ 
In  word,  and  deed,  and  mind. 


38  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

When  with  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
Their  fellowship  they  find. 

Nor  prayer  is  made  on  earth  alone  : 

The  Holy  Spirit  pleads  ; 
And  Jesus  on  the  eternal  throne, 

For  sinners  intercedes. 

O  Thou,  by  whom  we  come  to  God ; 

The  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way  : 
The  path  of  prayer  thyself  hast  trod 

Lord,  teach  us  how  to  pray. 

James  Moistgoiviery. 

See  this  subject  discussed  at  length,  in  a 
work  entitled  *'The  Spirit  of  Prayer,''*  hy 
Hannah  More. 


THOUGHTS 

OM 

PRIVATE    DEVOTION, 
CHAP.    I. 

THE  ADVANTAGES  OF  PRIVATE  PRATER. 


INTRODUCTION. 

It  is  tlie  indispensable  duty  of  every  Chris- 
tian to  pray  in  private. 
Our  Sa^-iour  hath  enjoined  it  on  all  his 
followers,  by  precept,  by  promise,  and  by 
his  own  blessed  example;  "When  thou 
prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when 
thou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father 
which  is  in  secret,  and  thy  Father  which 
seeth  in  secret  shall  reward  thee  openly." 


40  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

(Matt.  vi.  9.)  The  precept  is  positive :  the 
promise  is  certain :  in  both  the  singular 
number  is  used.  Christ  here  saith  to  each 
of  his  followers,  "Enter  into  thy  closet," 
''Pray  to  ihj  Father."  Thij  Father  shall 
reward  tiiee.  As  obedience  to  the  divine 
precepts  is  generally  attended  v.dth  a  pre- 
sent blessing,  so  is  it  here.  For  private 
prayer  sweetly  inclines  and  disposes  a  per- 
son to  a  cheerful  performance  of  every 
other  religious  duty  and  ser\-ice ;  and  the 
power  of  godliness  in  the  soul  flourishes 
or  decays  as  the  private  duties  of  the  closet 
are  attended  to  or  neglected.  This,  in  con- 
junction with  the  precept,  promise,  and 
example  of  the  Saviour,  furnishes  the  true 
Christian  with  powerful  motives  for  con- 
tinuing instant  in  private  prayer  even  unto 
the  end  :  when  his  heavenly  Father,  who 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  41 

seeth  in  secret,  -svill,  in  an  especial  manner, 
openly  reward  liim. 

The  Saviour's  example  of  private  prayer 
an-ested  the  attention  of  all  the  evangelists. 
How  often  do  Ave  read  of  his  sending  the 
midtitude  aAvay,  and  going  up  into  a  moun- 
tain apart  to  pray !  (Matt.  xiv.  24.  Mark 
vi.  46.)  St.  Mark  mentions  his  rising  up  a 
great  while  before  day  for  that  purpose. 
And  St.  Luke  records  one  instance  (doubt- 
less it  was  not  the  only  one)  of  his  going 
"out  into  a  mountain  to  pray,  and  con- 
tinuing all  night  in  prayer  to  God."  (Luke 
vi.  12.)  For  the  sake  of  private  prayer, 
he  would  forego  the  pleasure  of  conversa- 
tion with  his  disciples  on  the  most  inter- 
esting subjects.  When  his  heart  was  full 
of  heaviness,  and  his  soul  exceeding  sor- 
rowful, instead  of  telHng  the  particulars  of 


42  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

the  sad  tale  in  the  ears  of  his  disciples, 
who  loved  him,  he  said  unto  them,  "  Sit  ye 
here,  while  I  ^o  and  pray  yonder."  (Matt. 
xxvi.  36.)  There  he  unbosomed  his  soul 
to  his  Father,  offering  up  "  prayers  and 
supplications,  with  strong  crying  and  tears, 
unto  him  who  was  able  to  save  him  from 
death,  and  was  heard  in  that  he  feared." 
(Heb.  V.  Y.) 

*'  Night  IS  the  time  to  pray ; 

Our  Saviour  oft  withdrew 

To  desert  mountains  far  away, 

So  will  his  followers  do  ; 

Steal  from  the  throng  to  haunts  untrod, 

And  hold  communion  there  with  God." 

James  Montgomery. 

What  an  illustrious  example.     Did  He 
spend  loliole  nights  in  private  prayer  on  a 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  43 

cold  mountain,  for  our  sakes  ;  and  shall 
we  think  it  too  much  to  spend  a  portion 
of  the  day  in  our  closets,  for  the  furtherance 
of  our  o^Ti  spiritual  and  eternal  T\'elfare  ? 
Oh,  that  we  were  daily  imitating  more  that 
noble  pattern  which  his  holy  life  exhibits, 
by  being  much  alone  with  God  !  What  is 
Christianity  but  an  imitation  of  all  the  in- 
imitable perfections  of  the  Saviour  ?  A 
Christian's  whole  life  should  be  a  visible 
representation  of  Christ,  The  example  of 
patriarchs,  prophets,  apostles,  and  saints, 
as  recorded  in  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, plainly  show,  that,  to  be  "  followers 
of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience 
inherit  the  promises,"  we  should  be  much 
in  private  prayer.  But,  to  the  spiritually- 
minded  Christian,  the  example  of  Clirist 
vastly  transcends  all  others.    These  of  the 


44  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

best  of  men  are  defective.  His  alone  is 
the  perfect  pattern.  To  be  an  imitator  of 
him  in  all  his  moral  virtues  is  the  duty  and 
privilege  of  a  Christian.  And,  of  all  others, 
they  are  the  happiest  who  come  the  near- 
est to  his  bright  example. 


PRIVATE  PRAYER  HAS  MANY  ADVANTAGES. 

In  secret  we  may  more  freely y  fully,  and 
safely  unbosom  our  souls  to  God,  than 
we  can  do  in  the  presence  of  many  or  few. 

In  public,  confessions  of  sin  are  made  in 
general  terms.  In  private,  we  may  descend 
to  particulars.  "The  heart  knoweth  his 
own  bitterness."  (Pro v.  xiv.  10.)  Every 
Christian  has  his  secret  faults,  from  wliich 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  45 


he  desires  to  be  cleansed.  (Ps.  xix.  12). 
He  has  not  the  grosser  vices  of  the  un- 
godly to  confess.  But,  becoming  daily 
more  acquainted  with  the  spirituality  of 
God's  law,  and  the  deep  depravity  of  his 
own  heart,  he  feels  himself  continually 
prone  to  err,  and  discovers  within  him  a 
variety  of  things  of  a  sinful  nature,  which 
he  desires  heartily  and  sincerely  to  con- 
fess at  a  throne  of  grace.  The  thought  of 
foolishness — a  proud  look — a  vain  imagina- 
tion— a  sinful  inclination — a  secrQ^  murmur 
— a  repining  thought — the  slightest  indi- 
cation of  an  unforgiving  temper — the  re- 
mains of  unbelief — secret  distrust — carnal 
reasonings — a  want  of  watchfulness — for- 
mality in  holy  duties  —  the  comparative 
coldness  of  his  affections  towards  heavenly 
thinors — the   smallest  deo-ree   of  worldlv- 


46  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

mindedness — the  risings  of  envy,  vain- 
glory, or  spiritual  pride — the  Avant  of  love 
towards  God  or  man — a  hasty  expression 
or  an  unguarded  word,  though  perhaps  un- 
observed by  others — these,  and  a  variety 
of  similar  things,  which  at  times  disturb  a 
pious  mind,  and  grieve  his  heart,  will  fur- 
nish him  with  abundant  matter  for  confes- 
sion before  God,  in  whose  word  it  is  writ- 
ten, "  He  that  covereth  his  sins  shall  not 
prosper;  but  whoso  confesseth  and  for- 
sake th  tkem  shall  have  mercy."  (Pro v. 
xxxviii,  13.)  As  a  patient,  aiflicted  with  a 
loathsome  disease,  speaks  not  publicly  of 
all  the  symptoms  of  his  case,  but  takes  a 
convenient  opportunity  of  mentioning  them 
to  his  physician — so  the  Christian  will  not 
publish  to  the  world  all  the  corrupt  work- 
ings of  his  heart,  which  he  feels  and  la- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  47 

ments ;  but,  availing  himself  of  the  fit  op- 
portunity private  prayer  affords,  will  freely 
confess  them  to  his  heavenly  Physician, 
Christ  Jesus,  who  alone  can  forgive  all  his 
sins,  and  heal  all  the  spiritual  diseases  of 
the  soul. 

Confession  of  sin,  however,  is  but  one 
part  of  a  Christian's  duty  in  his  closet. 
While  passing  through  this  vale  of  tears, 
he  has  his  peculiar  trials,  his  peculiar  wants, 
and  his  peculiar  mercies.  Another  will 
scarcely  be  found  whose  experience  in  all 
points  will  accord  with  his  own.  In  all  his 
trials,  wants,  and  mercies,  he  alone  seems 
to  be  deeply  interested.  No  one  else  can 
so  feelingly  express  what  his  sufferings 
under  trials  are,  the  urgency  of  his  wants, 
or  the  gratitude  he  feels  for  mercies  he 
has  received.    Hence  arises  the  insufficien- 


48  PKIVATE      DEVOTION. 


cy  of  public  and  family  prayer  for  every 
purpose,  and  the  necessity  of  the  Chris- 
tian's retiring  to  his  closet — where,  through 
our  great  ''High  Priest,  who  is  touched 
with  the  feehng  of  our  infirmities,"  he  may 
in  secret  "  come  boldly  to  a  throne  of  grace, 
and  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help 
in  every  time  of  need."     (Heb.  iv.  15,  16.) 


Private  Prayer  is  a  privile^^e  of  which  a 
Christian  mo,y  at  all  times  avail  himself. 

Ill  health,  affliction  in  his  family,  un- 
favorable weather,  the  distance,  and  a 
variety  of  other  circumstances,  may  detain 
him  from  the  public  means  of  grace ;  but 
none  of  these  can  prevent  his  praying  in 
secret.    However  desirous  he  may  be  of 


FRIVATE     DEVOTION.  49 

enjoying  the  benefits  of  a  domestic  altar, 
a  want  of  piety  in  his  friends,  or  a  deter- 
mined opposition  to  domestic  worship  in 
the  heads  of  his  family,  may  deprive  him 
of  this  means  also.  But  neither  friends  nor 
enemies  have  power  to  prevent  his  holding 
communion  with  his  God  in  secret.  No 
time  is  unseasonable  for  such  a  purpose — 
no  place  unfit  for  such  devotions.  There 
is  no  corner  so  dark — no  place  so  secret, 
but  God  is  there.  He  never  wants  an  eye 
to  see,  an  ear  to  hear  the  cries  and  groans, 
nor  a  heart  to  grant  the  request,  of  him 
who  sincerely  prays  to  Him  in  secret. 
There  are  no  desires  so  confused — no  re- 
quests so  broken — no  effort  so  feeble,  as  to 
escape  his  notice.  The  eye  that  God  hath 
upon  his  people  in  secret,  is  such  a  special 
tender  eye  of  love  as  opens  his  ear,  his 


50  PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX. 

heart,  and  liis  hand,  for  their  good.  "  The 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  over  the  righteous, 
and  his  ears  are  open  to  their  prayers." 
Should  their  petitions  be  feeble  and  faint, 
and  seem  to  them  scarcely  to  reach  the 
heavens,  he  will  graciously  hoiv  dovni  "  his 
ear,  and  attend  to  the  prayer  that  goeth 
not  out  of  feigned  lips."  He  knows  the 
intentions  of  the  heart.  He  perceives  the 
motions  of  the  soul.  He  records  them  all 
in  the  book  of  his  remembrance,  i-md  will 
one  day  openly  reward  all  these  secret 
transactions.  Did  Christians  move  fully  be- 
lieve this,  and  more  seriously  consider  it — 
they  would  live  more  thankfully,  labor  more 
cheerfully,  suffer  more  patienlly,  fight 
against  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil, 
more  manfully,  and  lay  themselves  out  for 
God,  his  interests,  and  glory,  more  freely. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  51 

Private  Prayer  is  a  sci'ij^tiiral  means  of 
ohtaining  a  dearer  knowledge  of  the  re- 
vealed loill  of  God. 

It  has  been  compared  to  a  golden  key 
unlocking  the  mysteries  of  the  divine  word. 
"  If  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of 
God."  (James  i,  5.)  The  knowledge  of 
many  choice  and  blessed  truths  is  but  the 
returns  of  private  prayer.  We  have  a  re- 
markable instance  of  this  in  the  history  of 
Cornelius.  "  At  the  ninth  hour  (saith  he) 
I  prayed  in  my  house,  and  behold  a  man 
stood  by  me  in  brio-ht  clothino*,  and  said, 
Cornelius,  thy  prayer  is  heard.  (Acts  x. 
30,  31.)  Send  men  to  Joppa  and  call  for 
Simon,  whose  sirname  is  Peter,  who  shall 
tell  thee  words,  whereby  thou  and  all  thy 
house  shall  be  saved."    (Acts  xi.  13,  14.) 


52  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

His  prayer  was  not  only  lieard  and  accept- 
ed, but  pTacioiislv  answered,  in  the  know- 
ledge  he  obtained  of  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ.  Another  instance  may  be  adduced 
from  the  book  of  Daniel.  He  was  a  man 
who  studied  the  sacred  Scriptures,  (Dan. 
ix.  2,)  and  in  ansv/er  to  prayer,  obtained 
a  clearer  knowledge  of  their  contents. 
"  While  I  was  speaking  and  praying,  and 
confessing  my  sin,  and  the  sin  of  my  peo- 
ple Israel,  and  presenting  my  supplication 
before  the  Lord  my  God,  for  the  holy 
mountain  of  my  God ;  yea,  ivhlle  I  was 
sjoeahing  in  prayer,  even  the  man  Gabriel, 
whom  I  had  seen  in  the  vision  at  the  be- 
ginning, being  caused  to  fly  swiftly,  touched 
me  about  the  time  of  the  evening  oblation ; 
and  he  informed  me,  and  talked  with  me, 
and  said,  0  Daniel,  I  am  now  come  forth 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  53 

to  give  thee  skill  and  understanding.  At 
the  beginning  of  thy  supplications  the 
commandment  came  forth,  and  I  ara  come 
to  show  thee ;  for  thou  art  greatly  beloved  : 
therefore  miderstand  the  matter  and  con- 
sider the  vision."  (Dan.  ix.  20,  23.)  To 
"  understand  the  matter" — to  have  clearer 
views  of  the  revealed  will  of  God,  was  a 
great  blessing ;  but,  not  a  greater  than 
that  gracious  assurance  with  which  the 
communication  of  that  knowledge  was  ac- 
companied, namely,  that  he  was  in  the 
favor  of  God,  a  "man  greatly  beloved." 
Happy  is  he  who  in  sincerity  seeks  instiiic- 
tion  at  the  fountain-head  of  all  spiritual 
wisdom !  The  Holy  Ghost  is  promised  to 
teach  us  all  things.  (John  xiv.  26.)  The 
promises  of  God  should  be  pleaded  in 
prayer.     He  loves  to  be  sued  on  his  own 


54  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

bond ;  and  delights  to  lade  the  wings  of 
secret  prayer  with  his  sweetest,  choicest, 
richest  blessings.  Hence  it  is  that  the 
word  of  Christ  dwells  most  richly  in  them 
who  are  most  diligent  and  fervent  in  pour- 
ing out  their  hearts  to  him  in  secret. 


Those  ivlio  2)ioushj  and  conscientiously  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  the  closet  generally 
p'osper  both  in  temporals  and  spirituals. 

"  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things, 
having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is  and 
of  that  which  is  to  come."  (1  Tim.  iv.  8.) 
To  enter  on  the  duties  of  our  calling  in  the 
fear  of  God,  and  to  do  all  with  a  view  to 
his  glory,  is  the  surest  way  to  obtain  the 
blessing  of  Heaven.     Temporal  affairs  are 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


best  expedited  when  tliey  are  made  the 
subjects  of  secret  prayer.  Generally  speak- 
ing, he  who  prays  fervently  in  his  closet, 
will  speed  vv^ell  in  his  shop,  at  the  plough, 
or  in  whatsoever  he  may  turn  his  Iiand 
unto.  "Them  that  honor  me  (saith  the 
Lord),  I  will  honor  ;  and  they  that  despise 
me  shall  be  lightly  esteemed."  (1  Sam,  ii. 
30.)  All  the  worthies,  who  are  mentioned 
in  Scripture  as  men  of  private  prayer, 
prospered  in  the  world.  God  blessed  to 
them  their  blessings,  and  eventually  made 
their  cup  of  temporal  mercies  to  overflow. 
And  in  the  last  great  day,  when  God  shall 
judge  the  secrets  of  men  by  Jesus  Christ, 
and  shall  openly  reward  them  that  have 
prayed  to  him  secretly,  it  will  be  manifest 
to  assembled  worlds,  that  no  families  have 
been  so  prospered,  protected  and  blessed. 


56  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

as  those  who  have  been  most  dihgent  in 
maintaining  secret  communion  with  Him. 

As  to  spiritual  things,  it  is  most  certain 
that  private  devotion  prepares  the  heart, 
and  fits  the  soul,  so  to  speak,  for  the  pub- 
he  duties  of  religion.  He  who  willingly 
neglects  one  has  seldom  much  enjoyment 
in  the  other.  But  he  who  in  secret  waits 
upon  God  sincerely,  will,  in  the  public 
means,  frequently  find  his  spiritual  strength 
renewed,  his  languishing  graces  revived, 
his  intercourse  with  Heaven  more  pure,  his 
hopes  more  elevated,  and  his  enjoyments 
more  spiiitual.  Want  of  private  pr;iyer 
may  be  one  great  reason  why  many  are  so 
heavy  and  dull,  so  formal  and  careless,  so 
unfruitful  and  lifeless,  under  the  public 
means  of  grace.  Oh,  that  Christians 
would   seriously  lay  this  to   heart !     He 


PRIVATE      DEVOTIOX.  57 

wlio  would  liave  liis  soul  athirst  for  God, 
and  long  to  see  his  goings  in  the  sanctuary, 
(Psalm  Ixiii.  1,  2,)  who  would  have  public 
ordinances  lovely  and  delightful  to  his  soid, 
his  drooping  spirits  refreshed,  his  weak 
faith  strengthened,  his  strong  corruptions 
subdued,  and  his  affections  set  on  heavenly 
things  (Col.  iii.  2),  should  be  frequent  and 
fervent  in  secret  prayer.  How  strong  in 
grace — how  victorious  over  sin — how  dead 
to  the  world — how  alive  to  Christ — how 
fit  to  hve — how  prepared  to  die — might 
many  a  Christian  have  been,  had  he  more 
diligently,  seriously,  and  conscientiously 
discharored  the  duties  of  the  closet ! 


58  PRIVATE     DEVOTION, 

Diligence  and  perseverance  in  secret  prayer 
may  he  regarded  as  a  certain  evidence  of 
sincerity. 

Private  prayer  is  not  the  hypocrite's 
delight.  He  can  find  no  soHd  satisfaction 
in  such  exercises.  He  loves  to  pray  where 
others  may  notice  his  devotions  and  com- 
mend him  ;  and  he  has  his  reward.  (Matt, 
vi.  5.)  The  Scriptures  record  nothing  of 
Saul  and  Judas,  Demas  and  Simon  Magus, 
that  affords  the  slightest  evidence  of  their 
having  addicted  themselves  to  secret  pray- 
er. The  Scribes  and  Pharisees  assumed 
the  garb  of  exterior  sanctity,  but  we  never 
read  of  their  retiring  to  a  solitary  place  to 
pray.  A  good  name  among  men  is  more 
valued  by  a  hypocrite  than  a  good  life  or  a 
good  conscience.     Under  some  temporary 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION .  59 

alarm  he  may  cry  aloud  upon  liis  bed,  or 
seek  relief  on  his  knees  in  retirement.  But, 
"  Will  he  delight  himself  in  the  Almighty? 
will  he  always  call  upon  God?"  (Job 
xxvii.  10.)  If  the  cause  be  removed,  the 
effect  will  cease.  When  his  fears  have' 
subsided,  and  his  spirits  are  tranquillized, 
he  will  discontinue  the  practice,  lavingr 
aside  his  private  prayers  as  an  irksome 
task.  Secret  duties  are  not  his  ordinary 
work.  Self  is  the  oil  of  his  lamp  ; — worldly 
interests  and  the  plaudits  of  men* nourish 
its  flame.  If  these  are  wanting,  its  brd- 
hancy  declines ;  and,  as  his  hope  of  these 
fail,  its  light  gradually  or  instantly  expires. 
"Can  the  rush  grow  up  without  mire  ? — 
can  the  flag  grow  without  water  ? — whilst 
it  is  yet  in  its  greenness,  and  not  cut  down, 
it  withereth  before  any  other  herb.     So 


60  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget  God :  and 
the  hypocrite's  hope  shall  perish."  (Job 
viii.  11,  13.) 

lie  does  not  ''forget  God,  who  perse- 
veres in  the  duties  of  the  closet."  God  is 
tlie  object,  and  his  glory  the  end,  of  his 
secret  devotions.  He  retires  from  the  ob- 
servation of  men  to  "  give  unto  the  Lord 
the  glory  due  unto  his  name,  (and  to)  wor- 
ship the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness." 
(Ps.  xxix.  2.)  He  is  not  satisfied  with  a 
mere  esternal  performance  of  the  duty. 
He  examines  his  motives,  scrutinizes  the 
workings  of  his  heart,  and  afterwards  re- 
views the  whole  transaction.  "  I  call  to 
remembrance  my  song  in  the  night :  I 
commune  with  my  own  heart :  my  spirit 
made  diligent  search."  (Ps.  Ixxvii.  6.) 
Not  so  the  hypocrite.     "  Praying  ahoays, 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  61 

with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the 
spirit,  and  watching  thereunto  with  all  per- 
severance,'" (Eph,  vi.  18,)  is  not  his  prac- 
tice. He  has  ever  at  hand  some  excuse 
for  the  neglect  oi private  prayer.  Though 
he  squanders  perhaps  every  day  more  than 
an  hour  of  his  time  in  frivolous  con^ersa- 
tion  or  unnecessary  visitings,  he  can  per- 
suade himself  his  engagements  are  so  many 
and  so  urgent,  that  he  has  no  time  for  re- 
tiring to  his  closet  without  neglecting  his 
worldly  business,  in  which  he  must  be  dili- 
gent from  a  regard  to  the  divine  precept 
(Rom  xii.  11,)  and  for  his  family's  sake. 
Or,  should  his  conscience  testify  that  he 
has  time  sufficient,  another  circumstance 
will  furnish  him  with  an  excuse — the  want 
of  a  convenient  place.  Oh,  let  it  ever  be 
remembered,  that  the  most  illustrious  ex- 


6 


62  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

ample  we  have  of  diligence  and  perseve- 
rance in  this  sacred  duty,  namely,  Christ 
Jesus,  was  pressed  for  time  more  than  aii}^ 
man,  through  a  multiplicity  of  other  en- 
ffao-ements ;  so  much  so,  that  at  times 
he  *'  had  no  leisure  so  much  as  to  eat." 
(Mark  vi.  31.)  And  as  to  place,  "The 
foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  air 
have  nests,  but  the  Son  of  Man  (had)  not 
where  to  lay  his  head."  (Matt.  viii.  20.) 
Yet,  by  rising  early,  and  by  late  retiring  to 
rest,  (compare  Mark  i.  35,  with  Luke  vi. 
12,)  he  found  sufficient  time  ;  and  in  the 
open  air,  on  a  mountain,  or  in  a  garden,  a 
convenient  place  for  pouring  out  his  soul 
to  God.  The  hypocrite  wants  a  heart  for 
it,  more  than  he  wants  sufficient  time  or  a 
convenient  place.  However  regular  he 
may  be  in  his  attendance  on  public  prayer. 


I 

PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  63 

lie  does  not  love  private,  and,  therefore, 
does  not  habituate  himself  to  the  practice 
of  it.  He  it  is  who  loves  to  pray  secretly, 
and  values  such  exercises  for  the  effect 
they  have  on  liim  in  humbling  the  soul, 
mortifying  pride,  debasing  self,  weaning  the 
heart  from  the  world,  imbittering  sin,  ren- 
dering the  mind  more  spiritual,  a.nd  exalt- 
ing the  Sa\nour  in  the  affections ;  who 
habituates  himself  to,  and  perseveres  in  the 
practice  of,  secret  prayer.  And  a  diligent 
and  conscientious  continuing  in  such  well- 
doing, most  assuredly  afifords  a  decisive 
evidence  of  sincerity. 


64  PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX. 

There  is  no  m,cans  of  grace  more  enriching 
to  the  soul  than  private  prayer. 

It  is  a  golden  pipe,  through  which  the 
Lord  is  graciously  pleased  to  convey 
spiritual  blessings  to  the  soul.  He  know- 
eth  all  our  wants,  and,  without  our  askino- 
him,  could  supply  all  our  need  in  the  best 
manner,  and  at  the  best  possible  time. 
But  he  will  be  inquired  of  by  the  house  of 
Israel,  to  do  for  them  according  to  the  ex- 
ceeding great  and  precious  promises  he 
hath  given.  (Ezek.  xxxvi.  37.)  How  often 
has  the  believer  found  the  Lord's  promises 
of  grace  here  verified,  and  been  enabled  to 
look  forward,  with  joyfiil  hope,  to  the  ful- 
filment of  those  which  relate  to  glory  here- 
after, while  he  has  been  eno-ao-ed  in  his 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  65 

private  devotions  !  When  he  has  entered 
his  closet,  he  has  been,  perhaps,  hke  the 
mother  of  Samuel,  "  of  a  sorrowful  sinrit^'' 
and,  like  her,  has  poured  out  his  "  soul  he- 
fore  the  Lord,''  mth  an  "  abundance  of 
complaint  and  grief  f  but  the  God  of  Israel 
has  granted  his  petition,  and  he  hath  gone 
on  his  way  with  a  "  countenance  no  longer 
sad."  (1  Sam.  i.  15,  18.)  How  often  in 
these  private  exercises,  particularly  when 
the  believer  has  felt  himself  "  in  heaviness 
through  manifold  temptations,"  (1  Pet.  i. 
6,)  "  encompassed  with  infirmities,"  (Heb. 
V.  2,)  and  has  "  groaned  being  burdened," 
(2  Cor.  V.  4,)  not  knowing  "  what  he 
should  pray  for  as  he  ought,"  (Rom.  viii. 
2G,)  hath  the  Holy  Spirit  helped  his  in- 
firmities ! — "  making  him  to  knowr  Lis 
transgression  and  his  sin,"   (Job.  Mil.  '!?.,) 


66  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

and  causing  him  to  ''ablior  himself  and 
repent  as  in  dust  and  ashes."  (Job  xhii. 
6.)  Then,  in  the  language  of  the  Psalm- 
ist, he  hath  prayed  : — "  The  troubles  of 
my  heart  are  enlarged  ;  Oh,  bring  thou 
me  out  of  my  distresses!  (Ps.  xxv.  17.) 
"  I  will  bless  the  Lord,  who  hath  given  me 
counsel ;  my  reins  also  chasten  me."  (Ps. 
xvi.  7.)  "  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  glad- 
ness, that  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken 
may  rejoice.  Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins, 
and  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities.  Create  in 
me  a  clean  heart,  0  God,  and  reneAv  a 
right  spirit  within  me.  Cast  me  not  away 
from  thy  presence,  and  take  not  thy  Holy 
Spirit  from  me.  Restore  unto  me  the 
joy  of  thy  salvation  :  and  uphold  me  with 
thy  free  Spirit."  (Ps.  li.  8,  12.)  God  hat!) 
heard  this  prayer,  and  fulfilled  his  own 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  67 

most  gracious  word  : — "  Before  they  call  I 
will  answer,  and  while  they  are  yet  speak- 
ing, I  will  hear."  (Isa.  Ixv.  24.)  The  Sa- 
viour's promise  also  hath  been  verified : — 
''He  that  hath  my  commandments,  and 
keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me :  and 
he  that  lo^■eth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my 
Father,  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  ma- 
nifest myself  to  him."  (John  xiv.  21.)  The 
Holy  Spirit  hath  taken  of  the  things  of 
Jesus,  and  hath  shovrn  them  unto  his  ser- 
vant, (John  xvi.  14,)  and  the  believer  hath 
been  enabled  with  lively  gratitude  and  joy, 
to  adopt  the  language  of  the  prophet. 
"  0  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee  :  though  thou 
wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away,  and  thou  comfortest  me.  Behold, 
God  is  my  salvation  ;  I  will  trust,  and  not 
be  afraid:  for   the   Lord   Jehovah  is  my 


68  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

strength  and  my  song  ;  he  is  also  become 
my  salvation.  Therefore  with  joy  shall  (I) 
draw  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation." 
(Isa.  xii.  1-3.)  Thus  the  Christian,  with- 
drawn for  a  season  from  the  world,  and 
realising  the  immediate  presence  of  God, 
the  awfulness  of  eternity,  and  the  vast  im- 
portance of  heavenly  things,  prays  to  his 
Father,  which  seeth  in  secret ;  gets  more 
humbling  views  of  himself,  and  makes 
fresh  discoveries  of  the  exceeding  sinful- 
ness of  sin,  and  of  the  superaboundings  of 
Divine  grace,  of  the  long-suffering  patience 
of  the  Lord,  of  the  grace  he  has  bestowed 
on  him,  the  deliverances  he  has  wrought 
for  him,  and  the  abundant  mercy  wliich  is 
treasured  up  in  Christ  Jesus  for  all  true 
believers.  Thus  he,  who  began  his  secret 
prayers  ^'  with  groanings  that  cannot  be 


PRIVATE      DEVOTIOX,  69 

uttered,"  (Rom.  \\\i.  26,)  finds  spiritual  en- 
largement; is  ''  strengthened  with  might  in 
the  inner  man,"  (Eph.  iii,  16  ;)  is  enriched 
with  the  light  of  God's  reconciled  counte- 
nance ;  and  comes  forth  from  his  closet  in 
a  more  humble,  more  watchful,  more  spi- 
ritual, more  holy,  more  heavenly  frame ; 
and,  consequently,  is  more  fit  for  the  public 
duties  of  religion,  or  the  particular  duties 
of  his  calling — the  Lord  ha\^ng  put  into 
his  heart  more  gfladness  than  an  increase 
of  com  and  wine  could  give,  (Ps.  iv.  V,) 
and  caused  his  holy  comforts  to  delight  his 
soul.    (Psalm  xciv.  19.) 


CHAP.   II. 

ON    THE    NEGLECT    OF    PRIVATE    PRAYEK. 


How  lamentable  is  it  that  a  duty  so  ob- 
vious, a  privilege  so  great,  a  means  of  grace 
so  enriching  to  the  soul,  ever  should  be 
neglected !  WJiat  are  the  causes  to  be 
assigned  for  it  ? 

If  the  neglect  he  total  and  'permanent,  im- 
penitency  of  heart  may  he  suspected  as 
the  cause. 

To  perceive  no  necessity  for  secret  pray- 
er— to  have  no  mind,  no  will,  no  heart  to 
such   a  duty — to   make  no  effort  to  dis- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  7l 

cliarge  it,  and  to  feel  no  remorse  of  con- 
science for  neglecting  it,  are  fearful  signs 
of  an  unhumbled,  unrenewed,  impenitent 
heart.  Whilst  the  cause  remains,  the 
effect  will  continue  ;  therefore,  let  such 
''beseech  God  to  (jrant  them  true  repent- 
ance and  his  Holy  Spirit'^  that  their  in- 
disposition to  call  upon  him  in  private  may 
be  removed,  that  their  secret  prayers  may 
be  accepted,  and  openly  rewarded,  by  him, 
*'  and  that  the  rest  of  their  life  may  he  pure 
and  holy,  so  that  at  the  last  they  may  com,e 
to  his  eternal  joy,  tkroayh  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord:' 


72  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

If  the  neglect  he  temjyorary  and  voluntary, 
some  sin  or  sins  committed  agccinst  light 
and  knowledge  mag  he  the  cause. 

Such  sins  load  the  conscience  with  giiilt, 
weaken  the  spiritual  strength  of  the  Chris- 
tian, becloud  his  evidences  of  gTace,  make 
him  a  terror  to  himself,  and  afraid  of  real- 
izing the  Divine  Presence.  Then  he  is  shy 
of  drawing  near  to  God  in  secret ;  and  as 
our  first  parents,  from  conscious  guilt, 
would  have  "  hid  themselves  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  God,  amongst  the 
trees  of  the  garden  ;"  so  he,  by  neglecting 
the  positive  and  known  duty  of  secret 
prayer,  flies,  as  it  were,  from  the  Lord's 
presence,  to  forget  his  transgression  and 
acquire  his  former  confidence,  by  occupy- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  7-3 

ing  his  time  and  thoughts  with  the  affairs 
of  this  world.  But  this  is  folly.  To  add 
sin  to  sin — the  sin  of  omission  to  the  sin  of 
commission — gives  the  enemy  of  souls  a 
powerful  advantage  over  him.  It  invaria- 
bly increases  his  guilt,  benumbs  his  con- 
science, strengthens  his  inbred  corruptions, 
and  renders  his  return  to  spiritual  duties 
increasingly  difficult.  However  painful  it 
may  be  to  draw  near  to  God  in  secret, 
with  an  awful  consciousness  of  guilt  on  the 
soul,  it  should  not  be  shunned.  It  is  vastly 
better,  while  the  conscience  is  feelingly 
alive  to  the  wound  it  has  received,  to  has- 
ten to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  ingeniously 
to  confess  the  sin,  looking  to  the  cross  of 
Christ,  and  imploring  the  pardon  of  it  for 
his  sake,  and  grace  to  be  more  watchful  in 
future.     It  must  be  done,  or  the  conse- 


/4  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

qiiences  will  be  most  awful ;  and  the  soon- 
er it  is  done  the  better,  "  For  with  the 
Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with  him  is  plen- 
teous redemption,  and  he  shall  redeem 
Israel  from  all  his  iniquities."  (Ps.  cxxx. 
1,8.) 


If  the  neglect  he  partial,  spiritual  declension 
is  prohahly  the  cause. 

While  the  believer,  with  deep  humilia- 
tion, reviews  the  evils  of  his  pa^t  life — 
reflects  upon  the  awful  consequences  of 
sin,  and  contemplates,  with  adoring  grati- 
tude, the  astonishing  love  of  God  his  Fa- 
ther, the  amazing  condescension  of  God 
the  Son,  and  the  stupendous  work  of  God 
the  Holy  Ghost,  a.s  exhibit'-fl  in  ^h^  o^n^^n- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  75 

my  of  redemption,  and  feels  "  the  love  of 
God  slied  abroad  in  liis  heart,"  (Rom.  v. 
0,)  he  does  not  neglect  the  private  duties 
of  the  closet ;  but  anticipates  with  delight 
the  return  of  those  seasons  of  private  pray- 
er in  which  he  has  frequently  enjoyed 
sweet  communion  with  the  Lord,  and 
found  his  service  perfect  freedom. 

Having  "  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the 
world,"  and  being  watchful  lest  he  be 
'*  ao-ain  entanoled  therein  and  overcome," 
(2  Pet.  ii.  20,)  a  temptation  from  that 
quarter  excites  his  alarm,  leads  him  to  his 
closet,  and  makes  him  more  earnest  in 
prayer ;  thus  the  purposes  of  the  enemy 
in  presenting  the  temptation  are  defeated. 
But  he  is  liable  to  an  attack  in  a  more  \T,d- 
nerable  part.  Religion  is  his  delight.  An 
evil  in  a  religious  garb  he  does  not  suspect. 


'76  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

Ignorant  in  some  measure  of  tlie  devices 
of  his  spiritual  adversary,  he  has  httle  or 
no  apprehension  of  meeting  him  trans- 
formed into  an  ano-el  of  ho^ht.  He  is  not 
aware  of  the  paralyzing  effects  which  an 
inordinate  zeal  for  the  non-essentials  of  re- 
ligion has  upon  the  inner  man  ;  nor  of  the 
intoxicating  nature  of  that  busy,  prying 
curiosity  which  intrudes  too  far  into  those 
mysterious  and  deep  things  of  God  and 
religion,  which  are  most  remote  from  the 
understanding  of  the  best  and  wisest  of 
men.  Having  tasted  much  of  the  plea- 
santness of  religion,  and  being  anxious  in 
the  pursuit  of  more,  he  eagerly  grasps  at 
anything  that  may  be  urged  by  those 
whom  he  highly  esteems  and  regards  as 
fathers  in  Christ,  as  absolutely  necessary 
to  render  his  Christianity  more  pui-e  nnd 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  77 

primitive,  or  to  increase  his  measure  of  re- 
ligious knowledge.  This  is  an  important 
crisis — a  time  of  much  spiritual  danger : 
the  enemy  of  souls  is  ever  watchful  to 
hinder  the  Christian  in  his  course  :  v,4iat- 
ever  diverts  his  attention  from  the  weightier 
matters  of  religion  to  those  which  are 
comparatively  unimportant,  does  this. 
Hence  it  is,  that  such  as  have  their 
thoughts  more  occupied  with  the  non- 
essentials of  religion  than  with  the  power 
of  godhness  in  the  soul,  seldom  make 
much  progress  in  humility  or  heavenly- 
mindedness,  and  are  often  lamentably  de- 
ficient in  the  duties  of  the  closet. 

The  temptations  of  the  enemy  Avhich 
have  the  semblance  of  religion  are  the 
most  artful.  What  is  called  a  religious 
controversy — a  dispute  about  the  govern- 


'78  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ment  and  discipline  of  Christian  churches 
— the  modes  of  public  worship  and  ad- 
ministering the  ordinances  of  baptism 
and  the  Lord's  supper — or  on  some 
abstruse  theological  subject,  often  suc- 
ceeds. Perplexed  with  the  discordant 
opinions  of  the  controversionists,  the  pious 
Christian  laudably  resolves  to  examine 
and  weigh  for  himself  the  arsjuments  on 
both  sides ;  on  the  issue  of  his  inquiry 
much  depends.  If,  happily,  he  discovers 
that  the  disputation  does  not  relate  to 
matters  affecting  religion  itself,  but  to 
non-essentials,  concerning  which  good 
men  may  decidedly  differ,  without  the 
smallest  diminution  of  liberality,  or 
Christian  forbearance,  towards  those  of 
a  contrary  opinion  ;  it  is  well.  His  per- 
plexity ceases,  and  his  heart  is  enlarged 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  79 

in  Christian  love  towards  all  who  love 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity ;  and 
he  finds  additional  pleasure  in  his  secret 
prayers,  when,  in  giving  vent  to  the 
pious  feelings  of  his  soul,  he  copiously 
intercedes  for  the  universal  Church  of 
Christ.  But  if,  unhappily,  he  conceives 
the  disputable  articles  to  be  very  im- 
portant, and  imbibes  a  controversial  spirit, 
he  receives  a  wound  materially  affecting 
his  spiritual  health — his  mental  appetite 
becomes  vitiated — he  cannot  feed  on  the 
most  important  truths  unless  the  mode  of 
serving  them  up  precisely  fit  his  humour. 
His  zeal  is  soon  diverted  to  a  new 
channel,  and  his  thoughts  are  wholly 
occupied  with  arguments  in  support  of 
his  favorite  position.  He  begins  to  feed, 
as  it  were,  on  the  very  husks  of  religion. 


80  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

A  vast  declension  in  spiritual  things  takes 
place  iu  liim,  and  he  perceives  it  not. 
He  frequently  neglects  private  prayer : 
(not  voluntarily  indeed,  but)  having  his 
mind  fully  occupied  with  things  that 
have  the  semblance  of  religion,  \\e  forgets 
to  retire ;  when  he  recollects  himself,  he 
hastens  to  his  closet ;  should  the  work 
of  his  favorite  author  in  the  controversy 
be  near  his  Bible,  he  cannot  resist  the 
temptation  to  read  just  a  page  or  two 
in  that.  He  reads :  he  finds  his  time 
almost  gone ;  the  reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures is  postponed  to  a  more  convenient 
opportunity,  that  he  may  spend  his  few 
remaining  moments  in  prayer.  With  his 
lips  he  goes  over,  as  it  were,  mechan- 
ically, a  {ii\Y  important  petitions,  whilst 
a  multitude  of  thoughts  are  rushing  into 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  81 

his  mind.  This  corroborates  his  own 
arguments  ;  tliat  refutes  the  argument  of 
an  opponent.  He  rises  from  his  knees 
with  a  mind,  as  he  conceives,  stored  with 
wisdom  :  he  feels  himself  qualified,  had 
he  the  power  to  reorganize  the  Church, 
to  introduce  such  a  mode  of  worship  and 
discipline,  and  so  to  define  the  most 
abstruse  points  of  doctrine,  as  v*^ould, 
unquestionabl}^  meet  the  views  and 
wishes  of  all,  and  eflfectually  put  his 
opponents  to  the  blush.  But  where  is 
that  humility,  that  Christian  love,  that 
hatred  of  sin,  that  watchfulness  against 
pride,  self-conceit,  and  vain-glory,  Avhich 
the  Christian  ought  ever  to  seek  diligently 
and  earnestly  in  private  prayer?  Alas, 
the  crown  is  fallen  from  his  head ! 

Non-essentials  have  no  place  in  heaven; 


82  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

doubtful  disputations  never  enter  there ; 
controversial  knowledge  is  no  qualifica- 
tion or  meetness  for  the  saints  in  light. 
Happy  is  he  who  avoids  disputes  about 
things  indifferent,  and  learns  to  admire, 
in  the  Scriptures,  the  depths  he  cannot 
reach,  and  to  adore  the  mysteries  he 
cannot  comprehend. 

If  the  Christian  conceive  in  his  heart 
an  excessive  desire  of  some  temporal 
good,  how  lawful  soever  the  possession 
of  the  thing  may  be  in  itself,  the  effect 
will  be  very  similar :  spiritual  declension 
will  succeed,  and  private  prayer  will  be 
nec-iected ;  thouo-h  less  in  the  form, 
probably,  than  in  the  spirit  of  it. 

An  inordinate  desire  of  any  thing,  not 
inseparably  connected  with  religion,  en- 
grosses   the   attention,   and    pre-occupies 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  83 

the  thonglits  to  the  exclusion  of  medita- 
tion, the  handmaid  of  private  devotion ; 
and  like  "  the  cares  of  this  world "  in 
genera],  and  "  the  deceitfulness  of  riches  " 
in  particular,  chokes  the  precious  seed, 
and  renders  it  unfruitful.  With  his 
affections  thus  embarrassed,  the  Christian 
may  retire  to  his  closet,  but  the  object 
which  he  is  pursuing  with  impassionate 
ardour  will  follow  him  thither.  He  may 
bend  his  knees,  but  the  ardently  desired 
good  wnll  present  itself,  in  its  most  en- 
gaging forms,  to  his  imagination,  and 
possess  his  thoughts.  He  may  draw 
nigh  unto  God  with  his  lips,  "  but  his 
heart  will  be  far  from  him  ;"  for  "where 
his  treasure  is,  there  will  his  heart  be 
also." 

Should  an  apparently  favorable  oppor-    I 
( 


84  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

tunity  present  itself  for  pursuing  the 
I  object  of  his  inordinate  desire,  at  the 
very  period  of  time  he  has  been  accus- 
tomed to  retire  for  private  prayer,  a 
barter  of  time  succeeds.  His  prayers 
are  deferred  to  another  opportunity,  and 
the  present  fortunate  moment,  as  he 
conceives,  eagerly  seized  as  most  fit  for 
prosecuting  his  favorite  schemes.  But 
no  time  is  found  for  his  secret  devotions, 
till  the  accustomed  period  again  returns. 
Thus  in  the  form,  as  well  as  the  spirit 
of  it,  is  secret  prayer  neglected,  through 
an  inordinate  desire  of  some  temporal 
good.  He  who  has  left  his  first  love 
should  remember  from  whence  he  hoth 
fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  his  first  vwrTcs. 
(Rev.  ii.  4,  5.) 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION 


Whatever  he  the  cause,  the  neglect  of  secret 
prayer  is  culpable  and  dangerous. 

It  gives  the  enemy  an  advantage 
against  the  soul,  and,  by  damping  the 
ardor  of  spiritual  affections,  strengthens 
inbred  corruptions.  It  fosters  spiritual 
sloth,  engenders  earthly  mindedness, 
blunts  the  edge  of  conscience,  induces 
a  laxity  of  Christian  morals,  and  even- 
tually, if  persevered  in,  an  indisposition 
to  the  public  duties  of  religion.  It  should 
be  dreaded  as  an  alarming  indication  of 
indifference  to  the  promised  help  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  an  awful  slighting  of 
the  rich  mercies  tendered  to  us  in  the 
Gospel.  How  very  different  is  every 
instance  of  real  neglect,  in  its  character 


86  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

and  consequences,  to  that  imaginary  kind 
over  which  the  pious  Christian  sometimes 
mourns.  Incapacitated  for  retiring  to  his 
closet,  by  some  bodily  disease,  which  ren- 
ders the  constant  attendance  of  another 
person  upon  him  necessary,  he  is  deprived 
of  the  opportunities  of  private  devotion, 
for  which  he  thirsts,  and  is  frequently  in- 
terrupted when  mentally  calling  on  his 
God.  Being  thus  prevented  from  pouring 
out  his  heart  before  the  Lord,  with  all 
that  copiousness  and  enlargement  he  could 
desire  (though  he  prays  sincerely  and 
very  earnestly  in  the  way  of  ejacuhition,) 
he  feels  a  deficiency  ;  and,  without  con- 
sidering the  circumstances  under  which 
he  is  placed,  suspects  himself  of  neglect, 
and  is  much  grieved.  This  is  his  infir- 
mity ;  it  is  not  neglect,  though  it  seems 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  87 

to  him  to  be  such.  If  the  cause  were 
removed,  the  effect  would  immediately 
cease.  He  does  not  voluntarily  absent 
himself  from  his  closet ;  his  heart  is  still 
there;  and  thither  would  he  resort,  if 
restored  to  health.  In  the  meantime,  the 
secret  aspirations  of  his  soul  will  be 
favorably  regarded,  and  will,  ultimately 
be  openly  rewarded  by  his  heavenly 
Father,  as  piayers  offered  to  him  in 
secret. 

In  like  manner  the  Christian  may  sus- 
pect himself  guilty  of  some  neglect  of 
secret  prayer,  when  his  mind  is  affected, 
and  his  animal  spirits  are  depressed  with 
some  corporal  malady  which  does  not 
confine  him  to  his  apartments,  but  unfits 
his  mind  for  exertion,  and  disqualifies  him 
for   bending   his  knees  in  prayer,  or  pre- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION 


vents  his  continuing  long  in  that  position. 
Under  such  an  affliction  he  may  feel  (if 
kneeling)    much   lassitude,    his   thoughts 
confused,  his  desires  languid,  his  affections 
cold,  his  petitions  faint,  his  praises  inani- 
mate, and  be  much  grieved  ;  ascribing  to 
it    an    indisposition    to    private    prayer, 
bordering    on   a    neglect   of    the    duty; 
because,  in  another  position  of  body,  he 
feels    himself    very    differently    affected 
with  spiritual   things.     But,  can  this  be 
neglect  ?     Does  it  border  upon  it  ?     He 
has  a  mind,  a  will,  a  heart,  to  pray  in  se- 
cret ;  and,  notwithstanding  his  bodily  in- 
disposition,   makes  an  effort  to  do  so. — 
**The  spirit  is  willing,  but  the  flesh  is 
weak."     The  lamented  deficiencies  of  his 
prayers  will  be  graciously  pardoned,  and 
his  imperfect  petitions  mercifully  accepted 


PRIVATE     DEYOTIOX.  89 

and  answered ;  for  his  heavenly  Father, 
who  seeth  in  secret,  "searcheth  the 
heart,  and  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of 
the  spirit"  (Rom.  viii.  27;)  and  will  regis- 
ter the  sorrowful  sighings  of  his  contrite 
ones,  to  be  openly  rewarded,  in  the  last 
Great  Day. 

It  will,  doubtless,  be  evident  to  those 
who  are  disposed  to  practice  it — that  se- 
cret prayer  is  the  duty  of  all ;  that  its 
advantages  are  many  and  great;  and  that 
the  neglect  of  it  is  sinful  and  dangerous. 
For  the  benefit  of  such  shall  be  added  a 
few  directions  for  a  devout  discharge  of 
so  important  and  necessary  a  duty. 


CHAP.  III. 

A  FEW  DIRECTIONS  FOR  A  DEVOUT  DIS- 
CHARGE OF  THIS  IMPORTANT  AND  NE- 
CESSARY   DUTY. 


Private  Prayer,  as  a  means,  tends  to 
comiteract  the  corru^yt  workings  of  the 
heart,  and  to  give  a  pro2)er  bias  to  the 
faculties  of  the  soul ;  it  should  therefore 
he  performed  frequently. 

It  is  far  better  to  pray  often,  than  to 
make  long  prayers.  As  in  our  taking 
frequently  a  temperate  supply  of  fresh 
nourisliment,     the     Lord    providentially 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  91 

repairs  the  continual  wastes  of  our  bodies, 
and  keeps  the  fluids  in  a  healthy  state ; 
so,  in  our  frequent  use  of  private  prayer, 
he  graciously  restores  the  soul  (Ps.  xxiii.  3,) 
and  causes  it  to  prosper  and  be  in  health. 
(3  John  2.)  The  Christian,  therefore, 
cannot  too  frequently  contemplate  and 
desire  heavenly  treasures.  He  cannot 
too  frequently  approach  his  blessed 
Saviour,  and  hold  communion  with  his 
God  in  secret  prayer. 


The  fittest  season  should  he  talcenfor  this 
sacred  duty. 

Some,  who  are  subject  to  drowsiness 
in  the  after  part  of  the  day,  prefer  the 
morning  before  their   minds   have   been 


92  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

occupied,  and  their  spirits  damped,  with 
temporal  concerns.  And  it  is  doubtless 
most  fit  that  God  should  be  worslupped 
by  every  one,  before  he  enters  on  the 
business  of  the  day.  Others,  who  are 
constitutionally  heavy  and  dull  in  the 
morning,  and  almost  unfit  for  any  tiling, 
are  quite  alert  in  the  evening,  and  exempt 
from  that  heaviness,  of  which  so  many 
complain,  as  peculiarly  unfitting  tliem  for 
prayer.  Every  one,  therefore,  must  be 
left  to  determine,  which,  in  his  case  are 
the  fittest  parts  of  the  day  to  be  the 
stated  period  of  his  private  devotions. 
But  the  Christian's  experience  varies. 
There  are  seasons  when  he  feels  his  mind 
more  than  usually  solemnized,  and  every 
thing  connected  with  religion  appears  to 
him  of  the  utmost  importance.     His  con- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  93 

science  at  one  time  is  peculiarly  tender, 
his  soul  within  him  deeply  humbled 
under  a  sense  of  sin,  his  heart  broken 
and  contrite,  and  he  is  very  sorrowful. 
At  another,  his  faith  in  the  promise  of 
God  is  vigorous,  his  hope  animated,  his 
love  to  the  Saviour  ardent,  and  he  is  very 
thankful.  Seasons  like  these  should  be 
embraced,  as  especially  fit  to  be  extraor- 
dinary times  of  secret  devotion. 


The   Christian  should  he  constant  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty. 

It  is  not  very  probable  that  the  incal- 
culable benefits  of  it  should  be  experi- 
mentally known  by  those  who  retire  to 
their  closets  by  fits  and  starts  only.     If  it 


94  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

be  necessary  for  a  man  to  pray  in  secret 
when  he  is  suffering  from  the  upbraidings 
of  his  conscience,  or  smarting  under  the 
rod  of  affliction;  it  is  equally  so  in  the 
time  of  prosperity,  when  it  is  probable 
his  danger  is  greater,  and  fresh  trials  may 
await  him.  The  Christian  should  "  pray 
without  ceasing."  Not  actually,  indeed  ; 
for  private  prayer,  like  every  other  kind, 
must  have  its  intermissions  ;  but  the  heart 
should  be  in  a  disposition  for  it,  at  all 
times,  in  all  places,  and  under  all  circum- 
stances, and  in  the  actual  practice  of  it, 
at  fit  limes,  he  should  persevere.  It  is 
not  he  w^ho  begins  in  the  spirit  and  ends 
in  the  flesh,  but  he  that  endureth  to  the 
end,  that  will  be  saved. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  95 


Impo7'taM  as  secret  iwayer  is,  and  neces- 
sary/ to  his  souVs  health,  it  must  not 
be  trusted  in. 

Christ  alone  is  the  foundation  of  our 
hope.  If  we  are  not  interested  in  liim, 
we  may  perish  with  the  words  of  prayer 
on  our  Hps.  (Matt.  xxv.  11,  12.)  It  is 
the  Saviour's  free  grace,  infinite  mercy, 
everlasting  love — his  full,  perfect,  and 
sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfac- 
tion— his  pure,  spotless,  perfect,  and 
glorious  righteousness,  which  form  the 
proper  basis  of  the  Christian's  trust  and 
confidence.  He  must  not,  therefore,  trust 
in  his  prayers,  but  in  Jiis  Saviour  ;  and 
doubtless  the  enemy  of  his  soul  will  trem- 
ble to  see  him  go,   and  leave  his  closet, 


96  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

trusting  and  glorying  alone  in  Jesus. 
Thrice  happy  is  he,  whose  secret  prayers 
lead  him,  as  the  star  led  the  eastern  Ma^ii 
to  the  feet  of  the  Saviour ! — and  who,  like 
them,  when  there,  is  disposed  willingly  to 
offer  the  choicest  and  best  things  he  has, 
not  indeed  "  gold  and  frankincense  and 
myrrh,"  but  himself,  his  soul  and  body, 
to  be  a  reasonable,  holy,  and  lively  sacri- 
fice unto  God. 


The  Christian,  in  all  his  prayers,  should 
look  well  to  his  heart. 

The  eye  of  God  is  then,  in  an  especial 
manner,  upon  it.  He  does  not  look  at  the 
eloquence,  the  length,  the  number  of  the 
prayers,  but  at  the  sincerity  of  the  heart. 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  97 

He  approves,  accepts  and  rewards  no 
prayer,  but  that  in  Avhicli  the  heart  is  en- 
gaged. It  is  not  the  hfting  up  of  the 
voice,  the  wringing  of  the  hands,  or  the 
smiting  on  the  breast,  that  he  regards, 
but  the  motions  of  the  heart.  He  hears 
with  approbation  no  more  than  the  heart 
speaks  in  sincerity. 


Every  grayer  should  he  offered  in  the  name 
of  Jesus. 

Through  him  alone  we  have  access 
with  boldness  to  the  throne  of  grace.  He 
is  our  advocate  with  the  Father.  When 
the  believer  appears  before  God  in  secret, 
the  Sa\iour  appears  also:  for  he  "ever 
liveth  to  make  intercession  for  us."      He 


9 


98    ■  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

hath  not  only  directed  us  to  call  upon  his 
Father  as  "  Our  Father,"  and  to  ask  him 
to  supply  our  daily  need,  and  to  forgive 
us  our  trespasses  ;  but  hath  graciously  as- 
sured us  that  "  whatsoever  (we)  shall  ask 
in  his  name,  he  will  do  it,  that  the  Father 
may  be  glorified  in  the  Son."  (John,  xiv. 
13.)  And  saith  (14th  verse,)  "if  ye  shall 
ask  anything  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it." 
And  again  (John  xvi.  23,  24.)  "Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall 
ask  the  Father  in  my  name  he  will  give  it 
you.  Hitherto  have  ye  asked  nothing  in 
my  name ;  ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,  that 
your  joy  may  be  full."  All  needful  bless- 
inofs  suited  to  our  various  situations  and 
circumstances  in  this  mortal  life, — all  that 
will  be  necessary  for  us  in  the  hour  of 
death,  and  all  that  can  minister  to  our  feli- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  99 

city  in  a  world  of  gloiy,  hath  he  graciously 
promised,  and  given  ns  a  command  to  ask 
for,  in  his  name.  And  what  is  this  but  to 
plead,  when  praying  to  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, that  Jesus  hath  sent  us ;  and  to  ask 
and  expect  the  blessings  for  his  sake  alone  ? 


Expect  therefore  an  answer  to  grayer. 

"  I  WILL  make  an  altar  (said  the  vene- 
rable patriarch  Jacob)  unto  God,  who  an- 
swereth  me  in  the  day  of  my  distress,  and 
was  with  me  in  the  way  which  I  went." 
(Gen.  XXXV.  3.)  He  expected  the  bless- 
ing: which  he  asked  of  the  Lord,  and  in 
the  dispensations  of  Providence  towards 
him  he  received  the  answer  to  his  prayer. 

God  is  faithful,  who  hath  promised.    He 


100  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

saith,  concerning  every  one  who  ''  hath  set 
his  love  upon"  him,  "  He  shall  call  upon 
7716  and  I  will  ansioer  him,  1  will  be  with 
him  in  trouble ;  I  will  deliver  him  and  ho- 
nor him."  (Ps.  xci.  14,  15.)  His  pro- 
mises are  evidently  designed  to  direct  us 
in  our  supplications,  and  to  excite  in  us  an 
expectation  of  their  fulfilment.  And  what 
is  prayer  but  the  offering  up  of  the  desires 
of  the  heart  for  some  good  thing,  which 
the  Lord  hath  directly  or  indirectly  pro- 
mised in  his  holy  word  to  bestow  ?  The 
very  act  itself  implies  that  a  blessing  may 
be  vouchsafed,  in  answer  to  our  petitions ; 
and  his  promises  assure  us  there  will; 
though  the  time  and  manner  of  conferring 
it  are  reserved  to  himself:  and  he  best 
knows  what  will  suit  us,  and  the  best  pos- 
sible time  of  bestowing  it.     Therefore,  he 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  101 

who  obeys  the  divme  precepts  heartily, 
pleads  the  promises  in  prayer  persever- 
ingly,  waits  their  fulfilment  patiently,  and 
is  content  if  God  be  glorified,  though  him- 
self be  not  gratified,  may  confidently  expect 
seasonable  and  suitable  answers  to  all  the 
prayers  he  offers  in  sincerity  at  a  throne 
of  gra3e,  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 


9* 


PRIVATE   DEVOTIOlSr. 

PART    II. 

MORNING  AND  EVENING  PRAYERS,  FOR  EVERY 
DAY  IN  THE  WEEK,  AND  ON  VARIOUS  OCCA- 
SIONS ;  DEVOUT  MEDITATIONS  ;  A  COURSE 
OF  SELF-EXAMINATION  ;  AND  DEVOTIONAL 
POETRY. 


10^ 


"It  cannot  be  supposed  that  persons 
who  use  the  following  forms  of  prayer 
are  under  the  necessity  of  confining  them- 
selves to  every  expression  and  sentiment  in 
them.  Any  words  or  sentences  may  be 
added,  omitted,  or  changed,  as  they  see 
occasion,  to  suit  their  present  state,  their 
own  judgment  of  things,  and  their  circum- 
stances. For  it  can  never  be  expected  that 
the  same  method  or  form  of  private  prayer 
should  suit  all  persons  at  all  times.  It  is 
impossible  that  a  serious  Christian  can  pre- 
sent to  God  in  secret  prayer  all  his  wants, 
all  his  sorrows,  all  his  dearest  and  most  im- 
portant concerns,  in  a  few  general  sentences 
pre-composed  by  another." 


104 


t 

AN    INTRODUCTORY 

IMEDITATION   OJS^  PRAYER. 

BY   BISHOP    WILSON. 


How  good  is  God  !  who  will  not  only- 
give  us  what  we  pray  for,  but  will  reward 
us  for  going  to  him,  and  laying  our  wants 
before  him. 

May  I  always  present  myself  before  God, 
with  a  firm  faith  and  hope  in  his  promises 
and  mercy; — with  great  reverence  to  his 
infinite  majesty ; — with  the  humility  of  an 
offender ; — and  with  a  full  purpose  of  keep- 
ing of  God's  commandments. 

105  " 


106  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

May  the  thoughts  of  eternity  quicken 
my  devotions  ; — my  wants  make  me  ear- 
nest ;  my  backshdings  make  me  persevere ; 
— and  may  I  never  wilfully  give  way  to 
any  distracting  thoughts. 

May  I  wait  with  patience,  and  leave  it 
to  thee,  my  God  and  Father,  liow  and  token 
to  grant  my  petitions. 

He  that  has  learned  to  pray  as  he  ought, 
has  got  the  secret  of  a  holy  life. 

It  is  of  greater  advantage  to  us  than  Ave 
imagine,  that  God  does  not  grant  our  pe- 
titions immediat(3ly.  We  learn  by  that, 
that  whereunto  we  have  already  attained, 
it  was  the  gift  of  God. 

The  best  way  to  prevent  wandering  in 
prayer  is  not  to  let  the  mind  wander  too 
much  at  other  times  :  but  to  have  God 
always  in  our  minds  in  the  whole  course 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  107 

of  oui'  lives.  -The  end  of  prayer  is  not  to 
inform  God,  but  to  give  a  man  a  sight  of 
his  own  misery ;  to  raise  his  soul  towards 
heaven ;  and  to  put  him  in  mind  that  tliere 
is  his  Father  and  his  inheritance. 


MORNING  PRAYERS. 


SUNDAY. 

0  Lord,  I  desire  to  begin  the  day  and 
the  week  with  thee.  Let  a  solemn  sense 
of  thy  presence  be  upon  my  mind ;  and 
while  I  offer  my  supplications,  in  the  name 
of  my  only  Mediator,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  comfort  my  heart  by  the  assurance 
that  thou  art  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call 
upon  thee,  even  all  such  as  call  upon  thee 
faithfully. 

1  acknowledge  before  thee,  0  Lord,  how 
unworthy  I  am  to  be  numbered  with  thy 
children,  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee, 
and  thy  wrath  might  justly  have  consumed 

108 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  109 

me  in  a  moment,  and  have  sent  me  down 
to  hell : — but  thou  hast  had  mercy  on  me, 
and  hast  made  known  unto  me  by  thy  word 
how  I  may  be  saved. 

I  thank  thee,  0  Lord,  for  the  opportu- 
nities which  I  am  invited  to  enjoy  this  day, 
of  hearing  those  blessed  truths,  the  know- 
ledge of  which  is  essential  to  the  salvation 
of  my  soul.  Oh  !  give  me  grace  diligently 
to  attend  to  thy  word,  enable  me  to  under- 
stand it,  and  make  me  anxious  to  improve 
by  it ;  that  the  sermons  which  I  hear  may 
not  rise  up  against  me  at  the  great  day. 

Bless,  0  gracious  God,  the  ministers  of 
thy  Gospel,  especially  my  own,  who  show 
unto  us  the  way  of  salvation.  Do  thou 
teach  them,  that  they  may  be  able  to  teach 
us.  0  Lord,  may  thy  word  this  day  awa- 
ken my  conscience,  that  I  may  see  more 


10 


110  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

evil  in  the  nature  of  sin,  more  danger  from 
the  guilt  of  it,  and  be  more  earnest  to  se- 
cure an  interest  in  Clirist,  the  only  Saviour. 

I  beseech  thee,  0  Lord,  to  keep  me  this 
day  from  all  worldly  thoughts  and  words ; 
and  may  thy  Spirit  suggest  such  things  to 
my  mind  as  are  suitable  to  this  holy  part 
of  my  tune.  Oh,  may  I  keep  thy  Sabbath 
in  a  becoming  manner,  and  love  it  as  the 
best  day  of  the  seven,  because  it  is  a  sea- 
son dedicated  to  thy  service !  Preserve 
me,  whilst  in  thy  house,  from  a  stupid  and 
a  wandering  frame ;  strengthen  my  me- 
mory to  retain  what  I  hear,  and  make  this 
day  a  time  of  real  benefit  to  my  sotd,  for 
which  I  may  have  reason  to  bless  thee  to 
all  eternity,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.   Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  Ill 


MONDAY. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father! 
thou  art  a  God  that  hearest  prayer ;  and 
I  am  encouraged  to  draw  nigh  unto  thy 
throne  of  grace,  most  humbly  beseeching 
thee  to  look  upon  me  according  to  thy 
tender  mercy  ia  Jesus  Christ.  I  confess 
my  daily  offences  against  thee,  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed.  If  thou  shouldst  be  ex- 
treme to  mark  what  is  done  amiss,  0  Lord, 
who  might  abide  it !  Deal  not  with  me 
after  my  sins,  neither  reward  me  after  my 
iniquiiies.  I  bless  thee  for  that  all-per- 
vading advocate,  Jesus  Christ,  the  right- 
eous :  by  his  cross  and  intercession,  good 
Lord,  deliver  me. 

I   am  now  about   to    enter   upon   the 


112  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


worldly  employments  of  another  week : 
strengthen  me  with  th}^  grace,  that  these 
may  not  withdraw  my  heart  from  thee, 
nor  make  me  negligent  of  my  soul,  and 
my  salv^ation.  May  the  influences  of  the 
Sabbath  rest  upon  me  through  the  week ; 
and  may  the  solemn  and  blessed  truths 
which  I  heai-d  yesterday,  in  the  house  of 
prayer,  abide  in  my  memory  and  direct 
my  conduct ! 

With  many  thanks  for  thy  mercies  du- 
ring the  past  night,  I  now  cast  myself 
upon  thy  protection,  not  knowing  what 
this  day  may  bring  forth;  but  trusting  in 
that  wisdom  which  cannot  eri',  and  in  that 
love  which  cannot  fail ;  do  thou  appoint 
my  lot  as  seemeth  good  to  both.  Fatlier, 
not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done !  Preserve 
me  from  temptation  ;    preserve  me  from 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  113 

sin  ;  preserve  me  from  my  own  evil  Hfeart ; 
and  if  I  am  permitted  to  see  the  close  of 
this  day,  let  me  look  back  upon  it,  as  one 
in  which  I  have  walked  with  God  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ,  my  Redeemer  and  Advocate. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


TUESDAY. 

[Dr.  Johnson, 

0  God,  who  desireth  not  the  death  of 
a  sinner,  look  down  with  mercy  on  me, 
now  daring  to  call  upon  thee.  Let  thy 
Holy  Spirit  so  purify  my  affections  and 
exalt  my  desires,  that  my  prayers  may 
be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  through  Jesus 
Christ. 


114         PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

0  merciful  God,  full  of  compassion, 
long  suffering,  and  of  great  pity,  who 
sparest  when  we  deserve  punishment,  and 
in  thy  wrath  thinkest  upon  mercy,  make 
me  earnestly  to  repent  and  be  heartily 
sorry  for  all  my  misdoings ;  make  the  re- 
membrance of  them  so  burthensome  and 
painful,  that  I  may  flee  unto  thee  with  a 
troubled  spirit  and  a  contrite  heart ;  and, 
0  merciful  Lord,  visit,  comfort,  and  relieve 
me  ;  cast  me  not  out  of  thy  presence,  and 
take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me,  but  ex- 
cite in  me  true  repentance ;  give  me  in  this 
world  knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  confi- 
dence in  thy  mercy,  and  in  the  world  to 
come  life  everlastinn^.  Formve  the  davs 
and  years  which  I  have  passed  in  folly, 
idleness,  and  sin  ;  fill  me  with  such  sorrow 
for  the  time  mis-spent,  that  I  may  amend 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  11 


my  life  according  to  thy  holy  word ; 
streno-then  me  airainst  sin,  and  enable  me 
so  to  perform  every  duty,  that  whilst  I 
live  I  may  serve  thee  in  that  state  to  which 
thou  hast  called  me,  and  at  last,  by  a  holy 
and  happy  death,  be  delivered  from  the 
strui^gles  and  sorrows  of  this  life,  and  ob- 
tain eternal  happiness,  by  the  mercy  and 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


WEDNESDAY. 

•  [Bp.  Bloomiield. 

0  God,  thou  art  my  God ;  early  will  I 
seek  thee.  Thou  art  good,  and  doest  good 
to  all ;  thy  mercy  is  over  all  thy  works. 

Unworthy  as  I  am  to  offer  unto  thee 
any  sacrifice,  thou  hast  appointed  unto  me 


116  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

a  great  High  Priest,  in  whose  name  I  come 
boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  I  may 
find  mercy  and  grace  to  help  me  in  time 
of  need. 

Grant  that  the  frequency  and  earnest- 
ness of  my  prayers  may  be  proportioned 
to  the  greatness  of  my  wants.  Make  me 
to  rejoice  in  every  opportunity  of  wor- 
shipping thy  divine  Majesty,  and  pre- 
serve me  from  the  sin  of  drawino:  near  to 
thee  with  my  lips,  while  my  heart  is  far 
from  thee. 

I  humbly  thank  thee,  0  Lord,  that  thou 
hast  preserved  me  through  the  night  past, 
and  hast  renewed  unto  me  thy  goodness 
this  morning.  Take  me  agnin  into  thy 
guidance  and  protection  during  the  day ; 
and  so  govern  me  by  thy  grace,  that  I 
may  neither  think  nor  speak,  nor  do  any- 


PRIVATE     D  E  V  O  T  I  O  X  .  117 

thing  this  day  which  may  displease  thee 
or  wound  my  own  souh  Assist  me  to  be 
sincere  and  hearty  in  dedicating  myself,  my 
soul  and  body,  to  thy  service.  Preserve 
me  from  the  power  of  evil ;  from  the  sin 
that  doth  so  easily  beset  me  ;  from  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  the  vanities  of  a 
wicked  world. 

Send  thy  good  spirit  to  direct  and  guide 
me  in  the  ways  and  works  of  godliness  : 
purify  my  affections ;  enliven  my  devo- 
tion ;  teach  me  how  to  pray,  and  how  to 
hear,  and  read,  and  profit  by  thy  holy 
word.  Make  me  a  Christian,  not  only  in 
name,  but  also  in  heart  and  hope.  Teach 
me  the  value  of  my  soul  and  the  salvation 
which  has  been  wrought  for  it  by  Christ 
Jesus.  May  I  never  be  ashamed  of  con- 
fessing him  before  men;    but  amidst  all 


118  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

discouragements  and  difficulties,  give  me 
boldness  to  show  myself  his  true  disciple. 

Let  my  conversation  be  such  as  becom- 
eth  his  Gospel ;  and  whatsoever  I  do  in 
word  or  in  deed,  let  me  do  all  in  his  name, 
giving  thanks  to  God  and  the  Father 
through  him.  And  let  the  words  of  my 
mouth,  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart 
be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  0  Lord  my 
strength,  and  my  Redeemer.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


THURSDAY. 

[Hannah  More. 

0  Lord  God  Almighty,  I  tliank  thee 
for  having  preserved  me  through  the  past 
night,  and  for  granting  me  health  and 
strength  for  my  duties  on  this  day.     Bless- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  119 

ed  be  the  Lord  for  all  his  mercies ;  for 
giving  me  food  to  eat  and  raiment  to  put 
on,  and  for  delivering  me  from  many  evils 
which  my  sins  have  justly  deserved. 

I  thank  thee  especially,  0  Lord,  for  the 
gift  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son.  I  conf  \ss 
before  thee  my  exceeding  guilt,  and  I  pray 
thee,  for  Christ's  sake,  to  pardon  my  of- 
fences, and  to  receive  my  soul  when  I  die 

I  beseech  thee  also,  for  his  sake,  to 
grant  unto  me  the  help  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  I  may  be  enabled  to  follow  my  Sa- 
viour's example,  and  to  do  whatsoever  he 
hath  commanded.  May  I  be  patient, 
humble,  kind,  and  merciful ;  endeavoring 
to  do  good  unto  all  men,  and  forgiving 
those  who  trespass  against  me,  even  as  I 
hope  to  be  forgiven.  Grant  me  grace  this 
day  diligently  to  perform  its  duties,  and  to 


120  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

be  true  and  just  in  all  my  dealings,  doing 
unto  others  as  I  would  they  should  do 
unto  me  ;  and  help  me,  0  Lord,  to  restrain 
my  tongue,  and  to  subdue  my  evil  tem- 
pers, and  to  live  in  temperance,  soberness, 
and  chastity.  Save  me  from  those  sins 
which  in  times  past  have  most  easily  beset 
me  ;  strengthen  me,  0  Lord,  for  all  that 
awaits  me ;  carry  me  through  all  my  diffi- 
culties and  troubles,  and  help  me,  day  by 
day,  to  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  know- 
ledge of  my  Lord  and  Saviour.  These 
prayers  I  humbly  offer  up  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  121 

FRIDAY. 

Almighty  and  adorable  God,  permitted 
by  thy  kindness  to  come  again  into  thy 
presence,  I  would  begin  the  day  with 
praise  to  thee  who  hast  given  me  a  night 
of  mercy.  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul ; 
and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy 
name! 

I  would  sanctify  all  the  employments, 
and  all  the  events  of  this  day,  by  placing 
myself  and  them  in  thy  care,  humbly  and 
earnestly  beseeching  thee  to  overrule  all 
things  concerning  me  to  thy  glory,  and  the 
good  of  my  soul.  Unto  thee  do  I  lift  up 
mine  eyes,  O  thou  that  dwellest  in  the 
heavens  !  0  take  me  into  thy  protection, 
bodily  and  spiritually.  I  am  ignorant,  let 
thy  Spirit  teach  me  ;  I  am  guilty,  let  me 
__ 


122  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

obtain  pardon  througli  the  blood  of  thy 
Son ;  I  am  a  wandering  dieep,  let  thy  love 
lead  me  to  the  Saviour's  fold  ;  I  am  in  dan- 
ger from  enemies  who  lie  in  wait  for  my 
soul ;  what  then  is  my  hope  ?  Truly  my 
hope  is  even  in  thee.  Hold  up  my  goings 
in  thy  paths,  that  my  footsteps  slip  not ; 
keep  me  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye ;  hide 
me  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings. 

I  am  in  the  midst  of  an  ensnaring 
world  ;  0  thou  God  of  all  grace,  preserve 
me  from  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of 
the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life  !  Teach 
me  that  the  world  passe th  away,  and  the 
lust  thereof ;  vi^hile  only  they  who  do  thy 
will  abide  forever.  Let  me  place  thee,  0 
my  unerring  director,  always  before  me  : 
be  thou  at  my  right  hand  continually, 
lest  I  make  shipwreck  of  faith  and  of  a 


PRIVATE     r>EVOTIOX.  123 

good  conscience.     Leave  me  not,    neither 
forsake  me,   0  God  of  my   salvation  !    for 
thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ's  sake. — Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


SATURDAY. 

[Bp.  Bloomfield. 

ALMiGHTr  and  most  merciful  Father, 
who,  for  my  many  sins  committed  against 
thee  mightest  most  justly  have  cut  me  off 
in  the  midst  of  my  days,  I  humbly  thank 
thee,  that  in  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies 
ihou  hast  hitherto  spared  me. 

Accept,  I  beseech  thee,  my  unfeigned 
sorrow  for  my  past  transgressions ;  and 
grant  that  I  may  never  so  presume  upon 
thy  mercy,  as  to  despise  the  riches  of  thy 
goodness  ;  but  let  a  sense  of  thy  forbear- 


124  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ance  and  lono;  sufferino^  work  in  me  re- 
pentance  and  amendment  of  life,  to  thy 
honor  and  glory,  and  to  my  final  accept- 
ance in  the  last  day,  through  the  merits  of 
my  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Keep  alive  in  me,  0  Lord,  a  true  spirit 
of  devotion  ;  and  preserve  me  from  the 
great  sin  of  praying  to  thee  with  my  lips 
only,  and  not  with  my  heart  and  mind. 

Convince  me  of  my  entire  dependance 
upon  thee ;  quicken  me  in  the  pursuit  of 
things  eternal;  that  I  may  continually 
press  forward  to  obtain  the  prize  of  our 
high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Dispose  me,  I  beseech  thee,  rightly  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  this  day.  Watch 
over  my  path  ;  compass  me  about  with  thy 
favor  ;    preserve  me  in  my  going  out  and 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  125 

coming  in  ;  and  direct  all  my  steps  in  the 
way  of  thy  commandments. 

Make  me  truly  honest  and  conscientious 
in  all  my  dealings  ;  diligent  in  the  perfor- 
mance of  my  duty ;  innocent  in  my  con- 
versation ;  meek,  charitable,  and  forgiving 
towards  others  :  watchful  over  myself,  and 
ever  mindful  of  thy  presence. 

Sanctify  unto  me  my  crosses  and  afflic- 
tions, if  it  be  thy  good  pleasure  to  afflict 
me  ;  and  give  me  such  a  measure  of  pa- 
tience and  godly  resolution,  that  I  may  be 
willing  to  take  up  my  cross  daily,  cand  to 
follow  the  Lamb,  whithersoever  he  goeth, 

0  Lord,  if  I  have  now  asked  anything 
amiss,  I  pray  thee  pardon  my  ignorance  and 
infirmity  :  and  whatsoever  is  good  for  me^ 
even  if  I  ask  it  not,  be  pleased  to  grant  to 


11^ 


126         PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

me,  in  the   name  and   for  the  sake  of  thy 
dear  Son  Jesus    Christ,  our  only  Mediator 
and  Advocate.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


EVENING  PRAYERS. 


SUNDAY. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father, 
blessed  be  thy  name,  that  I  have  again 
heard  the  Gospel  of  thy  grace,  and  the  in- 
vitations of  my  Saviour.  I  adore  thee  for 
thy  word,  which  is  a  light  unto  my  feet, 
and  a  lantern  to  my  paths ;  and,  above 
all,  for  my  hope  of  peace  with  thee  through 
the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world.  0  make  the  duties  of 
his  Gospel  and  the  calls  of  his  goodness 
more  dear  to  my  heart,  that  I  may  glorify 
him  in  my  body  and  in  my  spirit,  whicii 
are  his ! 


128  PRIVATE     DEVOTION.      • 

I  thank  thee,  gracious  God,  for  that  un- 
deserved compassion  which  has  cast  my 
lot  in  a  Christian  hind.  0  make  me  more 
anxious  to  show  fortli  this  gratitude,  not 
on!}'-  with  my  hps,  but  in  ray  hfe,  by 
giving  up  myself  to  thy  service,  and  by 
walking  before  thee  in  holiness  and  riglit- 
eousness  all  my  days.  Teach  me,  by  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  that  all  my  means  of  grace 
and  all  my  opportunities  of  salvation  must 
be  accounted  for  in  the  day  of  judgment ; 
and  that  to  whom  much  is  given,  from 
them  will  be  much  required. 

Grant,  0  merciful  God,  that  the  Sab- 
bath now  closing  may  promote  thy  glory, 
and  set  forward  the  salvation  of  men,  es- 
pecially of  those  with  whom  I  have  wor- 
shipped ;  that  sinners  may  be  converted, 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  129 

and  that  Christ  may  see  in  them  of  the 
travail  of  his  soul  and  be  satisfied  ! 

Have  mercy,  0  God  of  love,  upon  my 
relations,  and  upon  all  who  are  near  and 
dear  unto  me ;  and  give  them  that  godli- 
ness which  is  profitable  for  all  things  ; 
which  hath  the  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 

I  commend  myself  to  thy  merciful  pro- 
tection this  night.  Be  my  defence  in  the 
hours  of  sleep  and  darkness ;  and  if  I  am 
permitted  to  see  the  light  of  another  day, 
unite  and  sanctify  my  affections  to  love 
thee  more  and  serve  thee  better,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


130  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

MONDAY. 

0  God,  my  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Be- 
nefactor !  in  the  ever  adorable  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  I  approach  thee  with  the 
sincerest  reverence  and  humihty,  to  paj 
the  hist  acknowledgments'  of  this  day  to 
thee,  before  my  eyes  are  closed  with  sleep. 
I  praise  and  magnify  thy  name  for  all  tliy 
mercies ;  particularly  at  this  time,  for  thy 
preservation  of  me  through  the  past  day, 
and  for  that  tender  care  and  guidance  of 
thy  merciful  providence,  by  which  I  have 
been  defended  from  the  great  and  innume- 
rable dangers  of  soul  and  body,  with  which 
this  imperfect  state  so  much  abounds. 
Whatever  of  good  or  happiness  I  enjoy, 
from  thy  favor  I  derive  it,  and  to  thee  I 
give  the  praise.     My  sinful  imperfections 


PRIVATE-  DEVOTION.  131 

and  my  failings,  my  transactions  and  neg 
lects,  in  many  instances,  of  thy  law  and 
m}''  duty,  I  truly  lament,  and  take  the 
shame  of  them  to  myself,  humbly  beseech- 
ing thee  to  give  me  true  repentance.  0 
fat-give  me,  for  thy  dear  Son's  sake,  what- 
soever thou  hast  seen  amiss  in  any  part  of 
my  conduct  through  the  past  day,  and 
wash  away  all  my  sins  in  that  atoning 
blood  which -was  shed  for  sinners.  Lord* 
in  mercy  take  me,  and  all  with  whom  I  am 
concerned,  into  thy  care  and  protection 
through  this  night.  Defend  us,  if  it  Le 
thy  holy  will,  from  all  the  designs  of  evil 
men,  and  from  everything  terrible  and  hurt- 
ful ;  and  lead  us  all  in  the  paths  of  holi- 
ness, through  thy  fatherly  goodness  and 
love  to  mankind,  declared  by  thy  Son,  Je- 


132  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

sus  Christ  our  Lord,  to  whom  be  glory  for 
ever  and  ever!     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


TUESDAY. 

[Hannah  More. 

0  Lord  God  Almight}^  I  bless  thee  for 
all  the  mercies  of  the  past  day,  and  I 
pray  thee  now  to  take  me  under  thy  care, 
and  to  deliver  me  from  all  the  perils  and 
dangers  of  this  night.  Preserve  me,  0 
Lord,  both  in  body  and  soul,  from  every 
evil,  and  keep  me  from  all  sinful  thoughts 
when  I  am  about  to  close  my  eyes  in  sleep. 

And  pardon,  I  beseech  thee,  all  my  of- 
fences, for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.  I 
confess,  0  Lord,  that  I  have  this  day  left 
undone   many   things   which  I   ought  to 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  133 

have  done,  and  done  many  things  wliich  I 
ought  not  to  have  done.  Pardon  all  my 
pride  and  vanity,  my  idleness,  and  self-in- 
dulgence, my  impatience,  fretfulness,  and 
discontent.  Pardon,  0  Lord,  all  the  rash 
and  angry  words  which  I  have  this  day 
spoken,  and  all  the  sinful  thoughts  which 
have  arisen  up  in  my  mind,  and  which  I 
have  not  been  careful  to  resist.  And  es- 
pecially, I  pray  thee,  to  pardon  my  for- 
getfulness  of  thee,  my  God,  and  my  want 
of  gratitude  and  love  to  Jesus  Christ.  For 
these  and  all  my  other  sins  which  from  time 
to  time  I  have  committed,  I  here  implore 
thy  pardon  and  forgiveness,  in  the  name 
of  my  most  merciful  Saviour. 

And,  since  I  know  that  my  life  is  so 
short  and  uncertain,  help  me,  day  by  day, 
to  think  of  my  latter  end.     0  Lord,  grant 

12 


134  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

me  grace  so  to  live  that  I  may  not   be 
afraid  to  die  :  and  do  thou  receive  my  soul 
at  last  into  thine  eternal  kingdom.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


WEDNESDAY. 

Almighty  and  merciful  Lord,  I  praise 
thee  for  the  mercies  of  the  past  day,  and 
I  desire  to  commend  myself  to  thy  watch- 
ful providence  during  the  silent  hours  of 
this  night.  0  thou  shepherd  of  Israel ! 
who  never  slumberest  nor  sleepest,  watch 
over  me  as  one  of  thy  flock :  embrace, 
with  the  arms  of  thy  mercy,  and  bring  into 
tliy  fold  all  my  friends  and  relations,  and 
brethren  of  mankind,  that  so,  at  last,  there 
may  be  one  fold  under  one  shepherd,  Je- 
sus Christ. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  135 

0  Lord,  pardon  my  sins  of  this  day,  as 
well  as  the  sins  of  my  past  life,  for  the 
sake  of  him  whom  thou  ladest  with  the 
iniquity  of  us  all.  May  I  be  daily  renewed 
in  the  spirit  of  my  mind,  by  the  regene- 
rating influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  May 
I  be  enabled  to  set  thee,  0  Lord,  always 
before  mine  eyes  ;  trusting  in  thy  gracious 
promises,  and  living  in  humble  dependance 
upon  thee.  May  I  receive  the  blessings 
of  the  Father's  love,  through  faith  in  the 
finished  salvation  of  the  Son. 

Hear  me,  0  Lord,  for  thy  mercy  is 
great ;  and  may  the  woi'ds  of  my  mouth, 
proceeding  from  the  meditation  of  my 
heart,  be  always  acceptable  in  thy  sight, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  my  strength,  and 
my  Redeemer.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


136  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

THURSDAY. 

[Bp.  Bloomfield. 

0  Almighty  Lord,  pardon,  I  beseech 
thee,  the  sins  of  which  I  have  this  'day 
been  guilty ;  consider  the  weakness  of 
my  nature  ;  and,  for  thy  dear  Son's  sake, 
be  not  extreme  to  mark  what  is  done 
amiss.  I  magnify  thy  goodness,  which 
has  so  long  spared  me,  and  has  granted 
me  so  much  time  for  repentance  ;  give  me 
grace  that  I  may  henceforth  turn  it  to 
better  account. 

Enable  me,  this  night,  to  shake  off  all 
worldly  cares  and  desires,  and  to  meditate 
upon  thee  ;  let  thy  Holy  Spirit  be  present 
with  me  in  my  devotions,  to  purify  my 
heart,  and  to  brinsj  before  me  the  thinq;s 
which  concern  my  peace,  and  to  inspire 
me  with  godly  resolutions. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  137 

Above  all  tilings,  make  me  rightly  to 
understand  thine  infinite  mercy  in  the  re- 
demption of  mankind  by  Jesus  Christ,  and 
diligently  to  avail  myself  of  all  my  privi- 
leges, as  his  disciple,  and  thy  child  by 
adoption  and  grace. 

0  heavenly  Father,  I  commit  myself  to 
thy  holy  keeping  this  night,  and  desire  to 
rest  securely  under  the  shadow  of  thy  pro- 
tection. Defend  me  from  all  perils  and 
dangers,  and  especially  from  those  which 
may  assault  and  hurt  the  soul.  Prepare 
me,  by  comfortable  repose,  for  the  duties 
of  to-morrow  ;  and  grant  that  I  may  rise 
disposed  and  strengthened  for  thy  service 
as  a  faithful  and  diligent  disciple  of  thy 
blessed  Son;  in  whose  words  I  further 
pray : 

Our  Father,  &c. 


11^ 


138         PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

FRIDAY. 

In  an  humble  acknowledgment  of  my 
manifold  sins  and  iniquities,  which  I,  from 
time  to  time,  and  more  especially  this  day, 
have  committed  against  Thee,  both  in 
thought,  word,  and  deed,  I  now  prostrate 
myself  before  thee,  0  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  beseeching  thee  for  the  sake  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  my  only  Lord  and  Saviour,  to 
be  merciful  unto  me.  Forgive  me,  0 
Lord,  that  I  have  not  rendered  unto  thee 
according  to  thy  mercy  and  loving-kind- 
ness ;  that  I  have  been  forgetful  and  diso- 
bedient, and  have  sinned  against  heaven 
and  in  thy  sight.  Let  thy  holy  spirit 
sanctify  me  throughout,  and  give  me  more 
and  more  grace  and  strength,  Avhereby  I 
may  be  enabled  to  subdue  all  my  sinful 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  139 

and  corrupt  affections ;  grant  that  I  may 
improve  the  remainder  of  my  days  with 
all  possible  care,  and  give  all  diligence  to 
make  my  calling  and  election  sure,  that  I 
may  so  persevere  therein  unto  death,  that 
at  last  I  may  attain  everlasting  life. 

Accept  my  praises  and  thanksgivings 
for  all  thy  mercies  vouchsafed  me  in  this 
life,  and  for  the  hopes  of  a  better.  And 
now  that  I  am  going  to  take  my  rest  and 
sleep,  let  me  consider  that  thou.  Lord, 
only  makest  me  to  dwell  in  safety ;  whe- 
ther I  sleep  or  wake,  live  or  die,  let  me 
be  found  thine  own,  to  thy  eternal  glory, 
and  my  everlasting  salvation,  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


140  TRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


SATURDAY. 

0  MY  God,  another  week  has  just  passed 
away,  and  I  am  still  in  the  land  of  the 
living,  while  so  many  of  my  fellow-crea- 
tures have  passed  from  time  into  eternity. 
Blessed  be  God  for  the  continuance  of  life 
and  health,  and  for  prolonged  opportuni- 
ties of  preparing  for  death  and  judgment. 

0  gracious  God,  let  not  this  continu- 
ance of  mercy  increase  my  condemnation, 
by  encouraging  me  to  commit  sin,  because 
hitherto  thine    annrer   has  been  withheld 

o 

from  falling  upon  me.  Let  me  not  trea- 
sure up  wrath  unto  myself  against  the  day 
of  wrath ;  but  teach  me  to  number  my 
days,  that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto 
wisdom. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  141 

Prepare  me,  most  blessed  God,  by  sleep 
and  rest,  to  take  my  part  in  the  duties  of 
the  Sabbath  to-morrow.  Give  me  that 
sense  of  sin  which  leads  to  a  full  confes- 
sion of  its  guilt,  and  to  faith  in  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ  for  its  pardon.  Give  me 
that  adoring  gratitude  for  all  thy  mercies, 
more  especially  for  the  great  mercy  of  a 
Saviour,  which  may  incline  me  to  praise 
thee  v/ith  joyful  hps.  Give  me  that  sense 
of  the  Vcilue  of  my  soul,  and  of  the  great- 
ness of  thy  salvation,  which  may  lead  me 
to  seek  life  and  mercy  with  all  my  heart. 
0  let  not  the  coming  Sabbath  be  defec- 
tively used,  like  those  which  are  passed ; 
but  let  it  be  so  improved,  by  public  and 
private  means  of  grace,  as  to  advance  my 
meetness  for  the  service   of  that  eternal 


142  PRIVATE      DEVOTION 


Sabbath  that  remaineth  for  the  people  of 
God ;  through  tlie  merit  and  mediation  of 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  (fee. 


SHORT  FORMS 

FOR  MORNING  AND  EVENING. 


These  Fonns  may  be  added  to  the  following  Occasional 
Prayers,  and  used  instead  of  the  preceding  for  the  Morn- 
ing or  Evening's  Devotion. 


Morning.  (1.) 

Merciful  and  over-looking  God,  I  bless 
thee  for  thy  care  over  me  the  past  night. 
Grant  me  thy  protection  through  the  en- 
suing day ;  keep  me  from  all  evil ;  and 
whatever  thou  ordainest  for  me,  in  small 
or  great  events,  may  I  remember  that  it 
is  thy  will,  and  that  I  must  cheerfully  take 
up  my  cross  to  follow  the  Lord  Jesus,  my 
Saviour  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


144  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Morning.   (2.) 

Heavexly  Father,  Lord  God  Almighty, 
I  come  to  thee  to  implore  thine  aid  and 
protection  through  the  ensuing  day,  and 
to  offer  thee  thanks  and  praise  for  all  thy 
mercies,  and  that  of  the  past  night's  quiet 
rest.  Make  me  to  walk  in  thy  ways,  and 
so  I  shall  be  blessed.  Give  me  the  strength 
to  do  that  which  is  righteous  in  thy  siglit, 
and  may  no  allurements  of  gentleness  or 
pleasure  wile  away  my  heart  from  thee. 

Make  me  diligent  to  do  the  day's  work 
which  is  set  before  me.  And  in  all  the 
trials  of  hourly  existence,  the  infirmities 
of  my  temper  and  that  of  others,  the 
crosses  and  disappointments  of  worldly 
hopes  and  cares,  may  I,  0  God,  lift  up 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  145 

my  heart  unto  thee,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


Evening.  (1.) 

Merciful  Lord,  take  me  this  night  un- 
der thy  kind  protection.  Watch  over  me 
while  I  sleep.  If  I  wake  in  the  night  sea- 
son, may  my  meditation  of  thee  be  sweet, 
and  my  soul  be  glad  in  the  Lord.  If  I 
am  spared  to  see  the  light  of  the  return- 
ing day,  may  I  rise  from  my  bed  to  give 
all  diligence  to  walk  before  thee  to  all 
well-pleasing.  And  whether  I  wake  or 
sleep,  live  or  die,  may  I  be  the  Lord's,  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


13 


146  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Evening.  (2.) 

I  THANK  thee,  0  Lord,  for  the  blessings 
which  I  have  this  day  enjoyed.  Grant 
me  this  night  such  lefreshing  rest,  that  I 
may' be  better  able  to  discharge  the  duties, 
and  hear  the  burdens  of  another  day,  if 
thou  shalt  be  pleased  to  add  another  day 
to  my  life.  If  my  eyes  should  be  kept 
waking,  may  my  meditations  on  thee  be 
useful  to  me.  Pity  my  weakness,  0  mer- 
ciful God,  and  hear  my  imperfect  petitions, 
for  the  sake  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
is  touched  with  our  infirmities,  to  whom, 
as  to  our  merciful  High  Priest,  be  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  (fee. 


PRAYERS 

FOR   VARIOUS    OCCASIONS. 


PRAYER  I. 

Neiv-  Years  Day. 

[Bp.  Wilson. 

Blessed  be  God,  who  has  brought  me 
safe  to  the  beginning  of  another  year ! 

My  God,  make  me  truly  sensible  of  this 
mercy,  and  give  me  grace  to  consider  oft- 
en how  short  and  how  uncertain  my  time 
is  ;  that  there  is  one  year  more  of  a  short 
life  passed  over  my  head ;  and  that  I  am 
50  much  nearer  eternity : — :that  I  may  in 
good  earnest  think  of  another  life,  and  be 
so  prepared  for  it,  as  that  death  may  not 
overtake  me  unawares. 

Lord,  pardon  all  my  misspent  time,  and 
__ 


148  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

make  me  more  diligent  and  careful  to  re- 
deem it  for  the  time  to  come,  that  when  I 
come  to  the  end  of  my  life,  I  may  look  "back 
with  comfort  on  the  days  that  are  past. 

Grant  that  I  may  begin  this  new  year 
with  new  resolutions  of  serving  thee  more 
faithfully ; — and  if,  through  infidelity  or 
negligence,  I  forget  these  good  purposes, 
the  good  Lord  awaken  in  me  a  sense  of 
my  danger. 

My  heart  is  in  thy  hands,  0  God,  as 
well  as  my  time ;  0  make  me  wise  unto 
salvation ;  that  I  may  consider  in  this  my 
day  the  things  that  belong  unto  my  peace  ; 
and  that  I  may  pass  this,  and  all  the  years 
I  have  yet  to  live,  in  the  comfortable  hope 
of  a  blessed  eternity,  for  the  Lord  Jesus' 
sake.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  <fec. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  149 


PRAYER  II. 

Birth-Day. 

[Qp,  Wil3on. 

Blessed  be  God  for  my  creation  and 
birtli ;  for  giving  me  a  being  from  honest 
parents  fearing  God,  and  in  a  Christian 
and  Protestant  country; — for  the  means 
of  grace,  the  assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  for  the  hopes  of  glory  ; — for  all  the 
known  or  unobsen'ed  favors,  pro\adences, 
and  dehverances,  by  which  my  life  has 
hitherto  been  preserved  ; — most  humbly 
beseeching  thee,  my  God  and  Father,  to 
pardon  my  neglect  or  abuse  of  any  of  thy 
favors,  and  that  I  have  so  very  much  for- 
gotten thee,  in  whom  I  live,  and  move, 
and  have  my  being. 

Good  Lord,  forgive  me  the  great  waste 


150  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

of  my  precious  time, — the  many  days  and 
years  of  health,  and  the  many  opportuni- 
ties of  doing  good,  which  I  have  lost;  and 
give  me  grace,  that  for  the  time  to  come  I 
may  be  truly  wise,  that  I  may  consider 
my  latter  end,  and  work  out  my  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling,  ever  remember- 
ing tlie  night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work  ; 
and  that  the  day  of  my  death  may  be  bet- 
ter to  me  than  the  day  of  my  birth. 

0  gracious  God,  grant  that  before  thou 
takest  from  me  that  breath  which  thou 
gavest  me,  I  may  truly  repent  of  the  er- 
rors of  my  past  life ;  that  my  sins  may  be 
forgiven,  and  my  pardon  sealed  in  heaven; 
when  the  good  Lord  shall  vouchsafe  me  a 
better  and  an  everlasting  life  through 
Christ.     Amen. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  151 


PRAYER  III. 

Before  receiving  the  Sacrament.  (1.) 

[Bp.  Bloomfield. 

Almighty  God,  whose  blessed  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  for  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  did 
suffer  death  upon  the  cross :  prepare  me, 
I  beseech  thee,  by  thy  grace,  for  the 
worthy  celebration  of  that  holy  ordinance, 
which  he  has  pleased  to  appoint  for  a 
continual  remembrance  of  his  death,  for 
a  pledge  of  his  love,  and  for  a  sign  and 
means  of  grace,  to  my  great  and  endless 
comfort.  Make  me  to  discern  the  Lord's 
body :  to  remember  and  adore  the  ex- 
ceeding love  of  Christ  my  Saviour,  in 
thus  dying  for  me.  Give  me  repentance 
unto  life,  not  to  be  repented  of.  Endue 
me  with  a  lively  faith,  a  perfect  love,  and 


152  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

a  universal  charity.  Enable  me  spirit- 
ually to  receive  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ  my  Saviour ;  that  so  all  carnal  af- 
fections may  die  in  me,  and  that  all  things 
belonging  to  the  Spirit  may  live  and  grow 
in  me :  and  that,  being  continually  re- 
freshed and  strengthened  by  thy  grace,  I 
may  persevere  in  all  godliness  unto  my 
life's  end,  and  finally  receive  an  everlast- 
ing recompense,  through  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  IV. 

Before  receiving  the  Sacrament.  (2.) 

[Mrs.  Cornwallis. 

Almighty  God,    merciful    Father,   by 
whose  protection  I  have  been  preserved, 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  153 

and  by  whose  clemency  I  have  been  spared, 
grant  that  the  life  thou  hast  prolonged 
may  never  be  wasted  in  idleness,  nor  cor- 
rupted by  wickedness  :  let  my  future  p  ur- 
poses  be  good,  and  let  not  my  good  pur- 
poses be  vain.  Take  not  from  me  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  but  enable  me  so  to  comme- 
morate the  death  of  thy  dear  Son,  that  I 
may  be  made  partaker  of  his  merits,  and 
finally  for  his  sake  attain  everlasting  hap- 
piness. Grant  that  this  awful  remem- 
brance may  strengthen  my  faith ;  enliven 
my  hope ;  increase  my  charity ;  that  I 
may  trust  in  thee  with  my  whole  heart ; 
that  I  may  do  thy  will  with  diligence,  and 
suffer  it  with  humble  patience ;  so  that, 
when  thou  shalt  call  me  to  judgment,  I 
may   obtain  forgiveness  and  acceptance. 


154  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Saviour. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &o. 


PRAYER  V. 

Confession  of  Sins. 

I  ACKNOWLEDGE,  dear  God,  that  I  have 
deserved  the  greatest  of  thine  indignation  ; 
that,  if  thou  hadst  dealt  with  me  accordinof 
to  my  deserts,  I  should  now  be  bewailing 
my  miseries  in  a  sad  eternity  ;  but  thy 
mercy  and  thy  justice  triumphing  over  my 
sins,  thou  hast  still  continued  to  me  time 
for  repentance.  Thou  hast  opened  to  me 
the  gates  of  mercy  and  grace  that  I  might 
glorify  thee.  0  God,  grant  that  I  may  at 
length  enter  into  these  gates,  and  walk 
hereafter  in  purity  and  hohness,  by  the 


PRIVATE     DEYOTIOX.  155 

aid   of   thy  Holy   Spirit,    through    Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PPvAYER  VI. 

For  Repentance. 

[Bickersteth. 

O  Thou,  who  by  the  right  Mnd  of  the 
Father,  art  called  to  be  a  Prince  and  a 
Saviour  to  give  repentance  and  forgiveness 
of  sins,  now,  in  this  accepted  time,  I  come 
to  thee,  for  these  great  blessings.  My 
heart  is  hard  and  impenitent,  and  httle  af- 
fected by  my  many  sins  and  thy  great 
goodness ;  I  beseech  thee  take  away  the 
stony  heart,  and  give  me  a  heart  of  flesh. 
Vouchsafe  unto  me  that  broken  and  con- 
trite spirit  which  the  High  and  Holy  God 


156  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

will  not  despise.  May  thy  sufferings,  gra- 
cious Redeemer,  touch  and  melt  my  soul. 
Let  the  goodness  of  God  lead  me  to  re- 
pentance. Never  leave  me  to  myself,  and 
my  own  perverse,  wayward,  and  wander- 
incr  heart.  0  now  brino^  me  back,  bv  thv 
Holy  Spirit,  to  my  heavenly  Father ;  and 
returning  to  him,  may  I  obtain  his  mercy, 
and  find  that  he  does  abundantly  pardon, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER   VII. 

For  the  Pardon  of  Sin. 

[Bp.  Taylor. 

0  Lord,  pardon  all  my  sins,  my  light 
and  rash  words,  the  vanity  and  impiety  of 
my  thoughts,  my  unjust  and  uncharitable 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  157 

actions,  and  whatsoever  I  have  transgressed 
against  thee.  Behold,  O  God,  my  soul  is 
troubled  in  the  remembrance  of  my  sins, 
in  the  frailty  and  sinfulness  of  my  flesh, 
exposed  to  every  temptation,  and  of  itself 
not  able  to  resist  any.  Lord  God  of  mer- 
cy, I  earnestly  beg  of  thee  to  give  a  great 
portion  of  thy  grace,  such  as  iqrj  be  suf- 
ficient and  eflfectual  for  the  mortification 
of  all  my  sins,  vanities,  and  disorders  ; 
that,  as  I  have  formerly  served  my  lusts 
and  unworthy  desires,  so  now"  I  may  give 
myself  up  wholly  to  thy  service  and  the 
studies  of  a  holy  life,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


14 


158         PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

PRAYER  VIII. 

For  Faith.   (1.) 

[Bickersteth. 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  mercies,  from 
wliom  cometli  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
give  unto  me,  I  beseech  thee,  grace  to  be- 
heve  on  the  name  of  Christ.  I  believe ; 
Lord,  help  thou  my  unbelief!  let  me  be 
strong  in  faith,  giving  glory  to  thee,  and 
having  a  full  persuasion  that  thou  wilt  per- 
form all  ihat  thou  hast  promised.  0  help 
me  to  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the  ex- 
cellency of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus 
my  Lord.  Enable  me  so  to  believe,  that 
Christ  may  dwell  in  my  heart ;  and  I  may 
supremely  love  thee,  my  God,  and  un- 
feignedly  love  all  my  fellow-c}eatures. 
Hear  me,  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  159 

PRAYER  IX. 

For  Faith.  (2.) 

[Mrs.  Cornwallis. 

0  Eternal  God,  fountain  of  truth,  in 
whom  to  beheve  is  life  everlasting,  let  thy 
grace  descend  with  a  mighty  power  upon 
my  soul.  Inspire  me  with  wisdom,  know- 
ledge, and  humility ;  and  so  sanctify  ray 
belief  in  thy  revelations,  that  my  heart 
may  be  filled  with  hope  and  confiuence  in 
thy  gracious  promises.  Restrain,  0  Lord, 
every  vain  imagination,  and  bring  every 
proud  thought  into  subjection  to  thy  will, 
that  no  prejudice,  no  motive  of  self-inter- 
est, may  interfere  with  my  full  belief  in 
the  pure  and  holy  doctrines  of  Christiani- 
ty. Hear  me,  0  God,  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  (fee. 


160  PRIVATE     DEVOTION, 


PHAYER  X 
For  Strength  to  resist  Temj^tations. 

[Mrs.  Cormvallis. 

0  Almighty  God,  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies, source  of  holiness,  the  fountain  of 
strength,  grant  me  power  to  resist  and 
overcome  all  temptations,  and  to  guard 
against  all  dangers ;  that  I  may  not  be  the 
slave  of  accident  or  violence,  of  interest 
or  passion,  of  fear  or  desire.  I  am  en- 
compassed by  infirmities,  surrounded  by 
many  dangerous  allurements ;  my  heart  is 
deceitful,  my  pas'sions  awake,  my  duties 
are  many  and  difficult,  and  my  resolutions 
weak.  0  be  thou  unto  me  wisdom,  right- 
eousness, sanctification  and  redemption. 
Thou  hast  promised  thy  Spirit  to  those 
who  seek  it.     Grant  that  it  may  dwell  with 


PRIVATE     DETOTION.  161 


me ;  instruct,  support,  and  encourage  me 
in  holiness,  resignation,  and  every  Chris- 
tian virtue  ;  that  I,  being  ready  prepared 
for  every  good  work,  may  grow  to  the 
full  measure  of  the  stature  and  fulness 
of  thee,  my  Saviour.  Grant  that  my  in- 
firmities may  be  fewer,  and  my  graces 
stronger ;  so  that  I  may  walk  on  sted- 
fastly  in  the  ways  of  thy  lav/s,  and 
the  works  of  thy  commandments;  and 
finally,  through  the  merits  and  mediation 
of  Jesus  Christ,  attain  to  that  heavenly 
kingdom  where  is  fulness  of  joy  and  plea- 
sure for  evermore.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


14* 


162  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


PRAYER  XI. 

For  Watchfulness  against  Sin.     (1.) 

[Bp.  Taylor. 

Teach  me  to  watch  over  all  my  ways, 
that  I  may  never  be  surprised  by  sudden 
temptations  or  a  careless  spirit,  nor  return 
to  folly  or  vanity.  Set  a  watch,  0  Lord, 
before  my  mouth,  and  keep  the  door  of 
my  lips,  that  I  offend  not  with  my  tongue, 
either  against  piety  or  charity.  Teach  me 
to  think  of  nothing  but  thee,  and  what 
will  promote  thy  service  and  glory ;  to 
speak  of  nothing  but  thee,  and  thy  glo- 
ries ;  and  to  do  nothing  but  what  be- 
comes thy  servant,  whom  thine  infinite 
mercy,  by  the  graces  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
hath  sealed  up  to  the  day  of  redemption. 

Let  all  my  passions  and  affections  be  so 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  163 

mortified  and  brought  under  the  dominion 
of  grace,  that  I  may  never,  by  dehbera- 
tion  and  purpose  ;  nor  yet  by  levity,  rash- 
ness, or  inconsideration,  offend  thy  Divine 
Majesty.  Make  me  such  as  thou  v^ouldst 
have  me  to  be  ;  strengthen  my  faith,  con- 
firm my  hope,  and  give  me  a  daily  in- 
crease of  charity,  that,  this  day  and  ever, 
I  may  serve  thee  according  to  all  my  op- 
portunities and  capacities,  growing  from 
grace  to  grace  ;  till  at  last  by  thy  mercies, 
I  shall  receive  the  consummation  and  per- 
fection of  grace  in  thy  kingdom  above, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


164  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


PRAYER  XII. 

For  Watchfulness.  (2.) 

[Dr.  Rambach. 

0  Faithful  Saviour !  who,  like  a  watch- 
ful sheperd,  visits  thy  careful  sheep,  and 
warnest  them  of  approaching  danger ;  may 
I,  when  inclined  to  sloth,  hear  thy  pastoral 
voice  sounding  in  my  ears,  "  Watch  and 
pray."  Grant  to  me  a  just  sense  of  my 
inability  and  weakness,  that  I  may  not  rely 
on  my  own  strength  or  good  intentions,  but 
be  diligent  in  prayer  for  obtaining  the  suc- 
cour, and  by  thy  strength  may  be  a  con- 
queror in  all  things.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  165 


PRAYER  XITI. 

On  reading  the  Scrijjticres. 

[Bp.  Wilson. 

0  Holy  Spirit,  make  me  to  understand, 
embrace,  and  love  the  truths  of  tlie  gospel. 

Give,  0  God,  thy  blessing  unto  thy 
word,  that  it  may  become  effectual  to  my 
conversion  and  salvation,  and  to  the  salva- 
vation  of  all  that  read  and  hear  it. 

Give  me  grace  to  read  thy  Holy  Word 
with  the  reverence  and  respect  becoming 
the  gracious  manifestation  of  thy  will  to 
men ;  submitting  my  understanding  and 
will  to  thine.  Let  thy  gracious  promises, 
0  God,  contained  in  thy  word,  quicken 
my  obedience.  Let  thy  dreadful  threat- 
enings  and  judgments  upon  sinners  make 


166  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

me  abhor  sin,  and  lead  me  to  a  speedy- 
repentance. 

Cause  me,  0  God,  to  believe  thy  word, 
to  obey  thy  commands,  to  fear  thy  judg- 
ments, and  to  hope  in,  and  depend  upon, 
thy  gracious  promises,  contained  in  thy 
Holy  Word,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. — 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XIV. 

For  Meekness. 

[Bp.  "Wilson. 

0  Lord,  who  art  a  God  ready  to  par- 
don, slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  kindness, 
remove  far  from  me  all  occasions  and 
effects  of  causeless  and  immoderate  an- 
ger ;  all  pride  and  prejudice,  and  too 
much  concern  for  the  thint^s  of  this  world  ; 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  167 

all  intemperate  speeches  and  indecent  pas- 
sions. 

Give  me,  0  God,  a  mild,  a  peaceable, 
a  meek,  and  a  humble  spirit,  that  remem- 
bering ray  own  infirmities,  I  may  bear 
with  those  of  others  : — that  I  may  think 
lowly  of  myself,  and  not  be  angry  when 
others  also  tliink  lowly  of  me  ;  that  I  may 
be  patient  towards  all  men ;  gentle  and 
easy  to  be  entreated,  that  God,  for  Christ's 
sake,  may  be  so  towards  me.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XV. 

F(yr  Spiritualized  Affections. 

[Bp,  Ken. 

0    Lord,  enlighten  my  understanding, 
that  I  may  know  Thee ;   sanctify  my   af- 


168  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

fections,  that  I  may  love  Thee ;  and  put 
thy  fear  into  nay  heart,  that  I  may  dread 
to  offend  Thee. 

Wean  my  aflfections,  0  Lord,  from  the 
things  of  this  world,  and  whatever  my 
state  and  condition  may  be  here,  give  me 
grace  therewith  to  be  content. 

0  my  God !  let  the  consideration  of  the 
emptiness  of  pleasure,  the  troubles  and 
miseries  of  riches,  and  the  shortness  and 
vanity  of  all  things  in  the  world,  inspire 
me  with  due  contempt  of  all  enjoyments 
here  below ;  and  make  me  ever  shun  these 
hindrances  to  a  life  of  holiness  and  virtue, 
that  I  may  with  the  greater  freedom  en- 
joy thee,  0  my  God !  in  meditating  on  thy 
perfections  and  thy  glories.  Let  me,  dear- 
est Jesus,  have  those  influences  of  thy 
blessed  Spirit  in   my  retirements,  that  I 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  169 

may  at  last  grow  wholly  weary  of  the 
world,  and  then  fix  my  thoughts  upon  that 
heavenly  kingdom,  where  true  pleasures, 
fulness  of  riches,  and  lasting  honors,  are 
only  to  be  met  withal ;  whither  let  thy 
mercy  speedily  bring  me,  that  I  may  be 
satisfied  with  the  fulness  of  thy  presence, 
and  meditate  for  ever  on  thy  great  perfec- 
tions, joining  with  all  the  glorious  attend- 
ants on  thy  throne  in  endless  songs  of  thy 
eternal  praises.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XVI. 

For  Holiness.  (1.) 

0  MY  God,  thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than 
to  behold  iniquity,  neither  shall  sinners 
dwell   in   thy  sight.     Only   the  pure   in 

15 


170  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

heart  are  blessed ;  for  only  they  shall  see 
God. 

Mortify  the  love,  and  overcome  the 
power,  of  iniquity  within  me.  Make  my 
body  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  a  hab- 
itation of  God  through  the  Spirit.  0  let 
me  c:jme  out  from  the  ways  and  practice 
of  sin  ;  let  me  not  touch  the  unclean  thing, 
that  tliou  mayest  be  a  Father  unto  me, 
and  that  I  may  be  the  child  of  thy  love, 
and  the  heir  of  thy  bliss,  through  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XVn. 

For  Holiness.  (2.) 

O   Heavenly  Father,   help  me  to  cast 
off  the  works  of  darkness,  and  put  on  the 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  171 

armour  of  light.  I  would  walk  in  the 
light,  as  thou  art  in  the  light :  but  my  de- 
sires are  faint,  my  wishes  feeble,  my  reso- 
lutions transient  as  the  morning  cloud, 
or  as  the  early  dew  ;  temptation  overtakes 
me,  and  sia  subdues  me.  Have  compas- 
sion upon  thy  servant,  0  Lord,  and  deal 
with  me  according  to  the  greatness  of  thy 
mercy. 

Withdraw  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me, 
although  I  have  so  little  improved  its  bless- 
ed influences,  or  followed  its  heavenly  gui- 
dance, in  time  past.  Thou  alone  canst 
restore  my  soul.  Into  thy  hands  I  com- 
mit it.  Wash  it  from  all  guilt,  in  the 
fountain  open  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness ; 
sanctify  it  wholly  to  thyself ;  let  not  sin  have 
dominion  over  me  :  beat  down  Satan  under 
my  feet;  strengthen  me  to  run  the  way  of 


1Y2  PRIVATE     DEVOTION 


thy  commandments,  and  so  shall  I  rejoice 
in   thy    great  salvation,    through    Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XVIII. 

Against   Wandering   Thougltts  in  Prayer. 

[Bp.  WUson. 

0  Holy  Spirit  of  grace,  help  my  infir- 
mities, that  I  may  fix  my  thoughts  upon 
my  duty  ;  and  that  I  may  serve  Thee  with 
all  my  heart  and  mind  : — that  I  may  never 
give  way  to  wandering  thoughts,  but 
watch  against  them  continually. 

Look  upon  me,  0  Lord,  and  pity  me  ; 
make  me  and  let  me  be  thine,  by  the 
choice  of  my  will  ;  make  me  serious  and 
thoughtful  at  all  times,  that  I  may  not  fail 
being  so  when  I  attend  upon  God. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  173 

Let  not  my  heart,  0  Godj  be  inclined  to 
any  evil  thing.  Keep  me,  0  God,  fiom 
every  thing  that  may  displease  Thee  ;  and 
make  me  wise  unto  salvation,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XIX. 

For  a  Right    Use  of  Time. 

Almighty  God,  I  adore  thy  infinite  pa- 
tience, which  hath  not  cut  me  off  in  the 
midst  of  my  follies  :  I  magnify  thy  wonder- 
ful goodness,  which  hath  spared  me  thus 
long,  and  indulged  me  with  a  larger  time 
of  repentance.  Let  me  no  longer  abuse 
that  precious  treasure,  which  thou  hast 
allotted  me  as  a  proper  season  to  work  out 
my  own  salvation,  and  secure  that  happi- 

15* 


174         PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

ness  which  is  great  in  itself,  and  infinite  in 
its  duration. 

Let  me  bid  adieu  to  all  those  vain 
amusements,  those  trifling  entertainments 
cind  sinful  diversions,  which  have  robbed 
me  of  many  valuable  hours,  and  endan- 
gered the  loss  of  my  immortal  soul.  Let 
me  no  longer  waste  my  time  in  ease  and 
pleasure,  in  unprofitable  studies,  and  more 
unprofitable  conversation ;  but  grant,  that 
by  diligence  and  honesty  in  my  calling, 
by  constancy  and  fervor  in  my  devotions, 
by  moderation  and  temperance  in  my  en- 
joyments, by  justice  and  charity  in  all  my 
words  and  actions,  and  by  keeping  a  con- 
science void  of  offence  to  God  and  man,  I 
may  be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  it 
in  the  day  of  judgment  and  be  accepted 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  lY5 

in  and  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, 
my  only  mediator  and  advocate.      Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XX. 

For  God's  Direction. 

O  God,  who  seest  I  have  no  power  of 
myself,  that  I  am  %ot  wise  enough  for  my 
own  direction,  nor  strong  enough  for  my 
own  defence ;  let  me  acknowledge  thee  in 
all  my  ways,  and  not  lean  to  my  own  un- 
derstanding. Let  thy  light  guide  me,  thy 
providence  protect  me,  thy  grace  enable 
me  that  I  may  faithfully  discharge  all  the 
public  and  private  duties  thou  shalt  think 
fit  to  call  me  to  ;  that,  being  thus  armed 
with  thy  defence,  I  may  be  preserved  from 


176  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

all   dangers,    through   Jesus    Christ   our 
Lord.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PilAYER  XXI. 

For  Humility. 

[Bp.  Taylor. 

0  Lord  God,  who  resists  the  proud, 
and  givest  grace  to  th%"  humble ;  endue 
me  with  such  humility  of  soul,  and  mo- 
desty of  behavior,  that  my  looks  may  not 
be  proud,  my  thoughts  arrogant,  nor  my 
designs  ambitious ;  but  that  being  restrain- 
ed of  all  vanity  and  pride,  and  my  affec- 
tions weaned  from  a  great  opinion  and 
love  of  myself,  I  may  trust  in  thee,  follow 
the  example  of  my  blessed  Master,  and 
receive  those  promises  thou  hast  made  in 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


117 


our   Lord    and    Saviour   Jesus    Christ. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXII. 

For  the  Love  of  God. 

0  Thou  infinite  goodness  and  love,  be 
thou  pleased  to  pardon  all  the  defects  of 
my  love  to  thee,  and  all  the  excesses  of 
my  love  to  earthly  tilings  ;  and  turn  my 
inclinations  and  affections  from  all  vain 
objects  to  thy  blessed  self,  who  art  the 
worthiest  of  all  love  ;  and  to  conquer  all 
my  prejudice,  and  forever  win  my  heart. 
0  show  thyself  to  me  as  a  pardoning 
God  ;  full  of  compasion,  ready  to  forgive, 
and  willing  to  save  me.  Yea,  make  me  to 
know  so  much  of  the  love  wherewith  thou 


lY8  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


ha,st  loved  me,  that  I  may  m:ike  better  re- 
turns of  love  to  the  gracious  giver  of  all 
my  good.  Touch  my  heart  with  such  a 
powerful  sense  of  thy  loveliness  and  lov- 
int/-  kirulness,  that  I  may  experience  stron- 
ger desires  and  incHnaLions  after  thee,  and 
greater  complacence  and  delight  in  tliee  ; 
and  may  I  love  all  other  things,  in  com- 
parison of  my  best  and  dearest  Lord,  as  if 
I  loved  them  not. — Enable  me,  by  thy 
good  help  and  grace,  to  keep  myself  in 
the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  eternal  hfe. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  (fcc. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  l79 


PRAYER  XXIII. 

For  Patience  under  Afflictions.  (1.) 

[Author  of  the  Retrospect. 

0  MY  heavenly  Father  !  enable  me  in  all 
my  trials  and  afflictions  to  lie  passive  in 
thy  hands ;  pardon  thou  my  unbecoming 
fears,  and  strengthen  the  faith  of  thy  waver- 
ing servant ;  compassionate  my  many  and 
great  frailties,  and  cheer  my  heart  in  the 
hoar  of  despondency  ;  let  a  well-grounded 
hope  of  thy  love  and  mercy  be  imparted 
under  ever}'^  conflict,  and  a  prospect  of 
heaven  be  afforded  amidst  all  the  sorrows 
and  darkness  of  these  wilderness  scenes. 

Lord  !  I  trust  I  am  thine :  save  me,  and 
sanctify  me  by  every  event  and  visitation 
which  I  am  called  to  experience,  while 
passing  through  a  world  of  sorrow,  sin. 


180  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

and  death.     And  wlietlier  I  live  or  die, 
may  I  be  the  Lord's.     Amen, 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXIV. 

I^or  Patience  under  Afflictions.  (2.) 

[Dr.  Rambach. 

Gracious  God,  my  sufferings  are  great, 
but  not  to  be  compared  to  those  of  my 
Saviour ;  yet  I  know  that  even  the  hours 
of  my  sufferings  are  hmited  by  thy  provi- 
dence, and  thou  countest  them  to  me. 
Thou  appointest  their  beginning  and  end. 
Grant  that  I  may  acquiesce  with  my  whole 
heart  in  what  thou  art  pleased  -to  inflict, 
who  orderest  every  thing  for  the  good  of 
thy  creatures.  Thou  wilt  not  only  limit 
the  period  of  my  suflferings,  but  wilt  never 
suffer  me  to  be  tempted  above  what  I  am 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  181 

able  to  bear.  Preserve  me,  0  Lord,  from 
the  gloom  of  unbelief,  from  the  darkness 
of  sph'itual  blindness,  and  from  the  eter- 
nal night  or  the  dark  abyss.  Sanctify  to 
me  every  pain  and  every  sorrow,  that  I 
may  pass  through  the  furnace  of  afflic- 
tion, as  gold  purified  in  the  fire ;  and 
when  I  have  suffered  all  thou  hast  appoint- 
ed unto  me,  may  I  come  off  more  than  a 
conqueror,  through  him  that  hath  loved 
me  and  given  himself  for  me.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXV. 

Under  Spiritual  Trouble. 

Save  me,  0  God,  for  the  waters  are 
come  into  my  soul :  I  sink  in  the    deep 
mire  where  there  is  no  standing.     Bring 
— 


182  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise 
thy  name. 

0  show  me  the  true  estate  of  my  soul, 
and  make  me  to  know  the  things  that  are 
freely  given  of  God  ;  and  deliver  me,  gra- 
cious Lord,  from  all  those  offensive  mat- 
ters that  provoke  thee  to  hide  thy  face 
from  me,  and  that  wrap  up  my  soul  in 
clouds  and  darkness,  and  make  me  so 
much  a  stranger  to  peace  and  comforts. 
0  grant  me  a  clear  discovery  of  the  evi- 
dences of  my  calling  and  election  ;  and 
seal  a  comfortable  assurance  of  thy  bless- 
ed love  in  Christ  Jesus  to  my  soul.  0 
thou  who  didst  bid  the  winds  and  waves. 
Peace,  be  still,  and  they  obeyed  thee, — 
settle  my  discomposed  mind,  and  quiet 
my  troubled  breast,  and  bring  me  to  see 
the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  the  joy 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  183 

of  thy  salvation.  0  thou  who  art  of  pow- 
er to  estabHsh  us,  be  pleased  to  establish 
my  heart  with  grace,  and  let  me  be  rooted 
and  grounded  in  the  faith,  that  I  may  not 
stagger,  through  unbelief,  but  hold  the 
beginning  of  my  confidence  steadfast  unto 
the  end.  Rejoice  the  soul  of  thy  ser- 
vant ;  for  unto  thee,  0  Lord,  do  I  lift  up 
my  soul ;  and  let  the  joy  of  the  Lord  be 
my  strength,  to  make  me  victorious  over 
my  sins,  and  always  to  abound  in  thy 
work  ;  never  pleased  so  much  with  any 
thing  as  to  do  the  things  pleasing  to  my 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  <fec. 


184  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


PRAYER  XXVI. 

An  Invocation  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 

[Author  of  the  Retrospect. 

Oh,  thou  Holy  Spirit !  whose  dehght  it 
is  to  convince  sinners  of  their  need  of  a 
Redeemer,  and  then  lead  them  unto  Christ 
and  give  them  faith  to  believe,  do  thou 
evermore  dwell  in  my  heart,  and  keep  me 
ever  mindful  of  my  wants,  and  humbled 
for  my  sins.  Give  me,  0  thou  Comforter 
and  Sanctifier,  give  me  grace  to  apply  all 
his  blessed  work  of  redemption,  all  his 
gracious  promises,  to  my  soul.  Enable 
me,  as  in  the  presence  of  a  heart-seaiching 
God,  day  by  day  to  declare,  that  this 
Saviour  is  my  all,  my  theme,  my  inspira- 
tion, and  my  crown.  Nothing  short  of 
this  exceeding  riches  of  grace,  this  incom- 


PRIVATE     D  E  V  O  T  I  O  X.  185 


prehensible  weight  of  glory,  can  satisfy 
my  soul.  Oh !  give  me  Christ,  or  all 
other  gifts  will  be  worse  than  nothing. 
Without  Christ,  life  would  be  the  prelude 
to  certain  and  eternal  death,  and  existence 
itself  the  greatest  of  curses. 

Come,  thou  Eternal,  Holy  Spirit !  come 
and  possess  this  soul  of  mine,  and  conse- 
crate all  its  faculties  to  the  service  and 
glory  of  the  Eternal  Jevohah,  forever  and 
and  forever.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  <fee. 


PRAYER  XXVII. 

For  the  Graces  of  the  Spirit. 

[Author  of  the  Retrospect. 

0  Almighty,  blessed,  and  eternal  God, 
I  now  come,  and  in  the  name  of  Him  in 
whom  thou   art  well-pleased,    I   ask   for 


16^ 


186  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

grace  to  keep  me  in  all  my  ways;  for  wis- 
dom to  instruct  and  direct  me  in  all  my 
wanderings  and  ignorance ;  for  courage  to 
confess  Christ  before  men ;  for  all  those 
fruits  and  graces  of  thy  Spirit,  which 
shall  enable  me  to  glorify  thy  name  in  the 
world  and  to  serve  my  fellow-creatures  for 
their  good,  until  I  am  gathered  to  my 
fathers  and  see  corruption.  And  when 
the  enemy  comes  in  with  the  power  of  an 
overwhelming  flood,  the  subtlety  of  hell, 
or  in  the  garb  of  aa  angel  of  light,  do 
thou  stand  by  me  and  deliver  my  soul. 
When  pain  and  sickness  try  this  mortal 
body,  do  thou  impart  the  meekness  and 
resignation  of  a  lamb  unto  my  spirit. 
When  death  itself  approaches,  and  the 
solemn  scenes  of  eternity  unfold  themselves 
to  my  view,    do  thou   enable    me  to  read 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  187 

my  title  clear  to  a  habitation   not  made 
with   hands,   eternal  in  the  heavens ;   for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXVIII. 

Crratitude  to  God  for  Sinritual  Blessirigs. 

[Author  of  the  Retrospect. 

What  shall  I  render  unto  thee,  0  my 
God  !  for  all  thy  mercies  !  Aid  me  with 
thine  own  Spirit  to  offer  up  all  the  grati- 
tude and  praise  which  a  poor  heart  like 
mine  is  capable  of.  Yes,  I  will  praise 
thy  holy  name,  for  making  me  willing,  in 
the  day  of  thy  power,  to  come  out  from 
the  ambitious,  restless  pursuits  of  men, 
who  desire  their  good  things  here.  I 
adore  thee  for  showing  me  the  vanity  and 


188  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


danger  of  seeking  my  portion  on  earth, 
and  the  madness  of  expecting  happiness 
in  the  paths  of  the  destroyer.  How  many 
of  my  competitors  and  companions  in 
the  race  of  sin  and  vanity  hav3  stumbled, 
and  fallen,  and  perished !  Still  I  am 
among  the  hving  to  praise  thee  !  Hence, 
0  Lord,  let  me  seek  and  find  all  my  re- 
pose and  all  my  happiness  in  thee.  What- 
ever comforts  thou  art  pleased  to  commu- 
nicate through  the  medium  of  thy  crea- 
tures to  my  body,  and  whatever  refresh- 
ments may  be  supplied  through  ordinan- 
ces and  means  of  grace  to  my  soul,  still, 
0  my  God,  may  I  see  and  receive  all  as 
coming  from  thee,  through  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  189 

PRAYER  XXIX. 

Before  going  a  Journey. 

0  Lord,  thou  art  the  same  God  in  all 
places :  and  no  where  can  I  go  but  thou 
art  there.  Both  at  home  and  abroad,  on 
my  way  and  at  the  end,  thou  art  ever  with 
me  by  the  universal  presence  of  thy  grace, 
and  thy  good  Spirit  with  me,  to  conduct 
and  guide  me  continually  ;  to  protect  and 
save  me  from  all  dangers  and  mischiefs  ; 
and  to  make  my  way  prosperous,  and  all 
my  affairs  successful.  0  let  the  blessing 
of  the  Lord  follow  me,  and  rest  upon  me  ; 
and  preserve  my  going  out,  and  my  com- 
ing in ;  and  never  leave  me,  nor  forsake 
me,  0  Lord,  but  be  my  God  and  guide 
this  day  in  all  this  journey,  and   all  my 


190  I'RIVATE      DEVOTION. 

life  long ;  which  is  but  a  pilgrimage  and 
passage  through  this  world,  in  which  I  am 
continually  hastening  home,  to  the  period 
of  all  my  travels,  to  the  place  where  I 
must  take  up  my  abode  and  dwell  forever. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXX. 

For  the  Spread  of  the  Gospel. 

0  Father  of  lights,  and  giver  of  all 
wisdom,  bless  every  society  formed  for 
the  conversion  of  Jews  or  Gentiles,  and 
for  the  spread  and  advancement  of  thy 
truth,  at  home  or  abroad. 

Look  with  favor  on  all  missionaries  now 
among  the  heathen.     0  prepare*  thy  way 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  191 

in  the  wilderness.  May  every  valley  be 
exalted,  and  every  hill  be  made  low  ;  may 
the  crooked  be  made  straight,  and  the 
rough  places  plain ;  and  let  thy  word 
have  free  course  every  where  and  be 
glorified.  May  thy  doctrine,  constantly 
preached  by  thy  servants,  drop  as  the  rain, 
and  distil  as  the  dew,  and  thy  word  never 
return  unto  thee  void,  but  prosper  abund- 
antly, and  accomplish  all  that  for  which 
thou  dost  send  it.  Give  thy  servants 
health  and  streno^th,  vio^or  of  mind,  and 
devotedness  of  heart ;  and  may  they  all  be 
chosen  vessels  to  bear  thy  name  before 
the  Gentiles.  May  the  deadening  influ- 
ence of  climate,  heathen  customs,  and  loss 
of  means  of  grace,  be  more  than  counter- 
acted by  a  special  supply  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit.     Give  them  grace  to  be  faithful 


192  PRIVATE     DEVOTION 


unto  death,  and  may  they  receive  from 
the  Saviour's  hands  the  crown  of  life  and 
glory.  Grant  that  thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  may  rise  up  to  call  thee  blessed. 
May  the  little  leaven  leaven  the  whole 
lump :  and  all  nations  whom  thou  hast 
made,  fall  down  and  worship  before  thee, 
and  glorify  thy  name,  through  thy  dear 
Son.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXXI. 

For  Resignation  to  the  Divine  Will. 

Pascal. 

0  Lord,  take  from  me  that  sorrow 
which  the  love  of  self  may  produce  from 
my  sufferings,  and  from  my  unsuccessful 
hopes  and  designs  in  this  world,  while 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  193 

regardless  of  thy  glory  ;  but  create  in  me 
a  sorrow  resembling  thine.  Let  me  not 
henceforth  desire  health  or  life,  except  to 
spend  them  for  thee,  with  thee,  and  in 
thee.  I  pray  not  that  thou  wouldst  give 
me  either  health  or  sickness,  life  or  death  : 
but  that  thou  wouldst  dispose  of  my 
health  and  my  sickness,  my  life  and  my 
death,  for  thy  glory,  for  my  own  eternal 
welfare,  for  the  use  of  the  church,  and  the 
benefit  of  thy  saints,  of  whose  number,  by 
thy  grace,  I  hope  to  be.  Thou  alone 
knowest  what  is  good  for  me  ;  thou  art 
Lord  of  all ;  do,  therefore,  what  seemeth 
thee  best.  Give  to  me,  or  take  from  me  ; 
conform  my  will  to  thine  ;  and  grant  that 
with  humble  and  perfect  submission,  and 
in  holy  confidence,  I  may  be  disposed  to 
receive  the  orders  of  thy  eternal  provi- 

17 


194  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

dence  ;  and  may  equally  adore  every  dis- 
pensation, which  will  come  to  me  from 
thy  hand,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


PRAYER  XXXIl. 

In  the  prospect  of  Death, 

Bp.  Wilson. 

In  my  last  hour,  0  Lord,  I  humbly  beg 
thy  protection  froin  the  busy  suggestions 
of  evil  spirits.  0  let  not  my  faith  fail,  my 
hope  wither,  or  my  charity  wax  cold  with 
the  waning  flesh  ;  but  when  mine  eyes  are 
darkened,  and  my  tongue  falters,  then, 
O  then,  let  my  heart  be  enlarged  towards 
thee,  waiting  on  thee,  longing  for  thee 
incessantly,  and  praying.  Show  me  thy 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  195 

mercy,  0  Lord,  and  grant  me  thy  salva- 
tion. Since  my  days  are  but  as  a  span, 
short  and  uncertain,  I  humbly  beseech 
thee,  0  Lord,  to  wean  my  heart  from  the 
disquietudes  of  worldly  cares,  that  I  may 
be  diligent  in  all  the  good  works  of  obe- 
dience and  chanty,  that  so,  recovering  the 
spiritual  health  of  my  soul,  I  may  die  in 
thy  grace  and  favor,  through  Jesus 
Christ. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


EJACULATIONS, 


CHIEFLY    FROM    THE    SCRIPTURES. 


In  the  Morning. 

What  shall  I  offer  unto  the  Lord  for 
his  mercies  renewed  unto  me  every  morn- 
ing !  The  sacrifice  of  God  is  a  broken 
spirit:  a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  0 
God,  thou  wilt  not  despise. 

Grant  that  I  may  continue  in  thy  fear 
all  the  day  long.  May  I  keep  thy  statutes 
and  observe  thy  laws. 

Be  with  me  this  day  in  my  going  out 
and  in  my  coming  in.  Make  me  watchful 
and  circumspect  in  my  walk  and  conver- 

196 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  197 

sation.  Put  thy  fear  in  my  heart,  0  God, 
that  I  may  be  kept  from  sinning  against 
thee. 

In  Conversation. 

Set  a  watch,  0  Lord,  before  my  mouth  ; 
keep  thou  the  door  of  my  lips. 

Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the 
meditation  of  my  heart,  be  always  accept- 
able in  thy  sight,  0  Lord,  my  Strength 
and  my  Redeemer. 

Preserve  me,  0  God,  from  a  vain  con- 
versation; give  me  grace  never  to  be 
ashamed  or  afraid  to  speak  of  Thee  and 
Thy  law. 

In  Temptation. 

Whex  the  enemy  comes  in  like  a  flood, 
do  thou,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  lift  up  a 
standard  against  him  ;  enable  me  to  stand 


17^ 


198  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ill  the  evil  day,  and   having  done  all,  to 
stand. 

How  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness 
and  sin  against  God  ? 

Against  any  besetting  Sin. 

Enable  me  to  lay  aside  every  weight, 
and  the  sin  that  doth  most  easily  beset 
me ;  and  to  run  with  patience  the  race 
that  is  set  before  me,  looking  unto  Jesus. 

On  falling  into  Sin. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  0  God,  and  ac- 
cording to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender 
mercies,  blot  out  my  transgressions.  Wash 
me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity,  and 
cleanse  me  from  my  sin,  hide  thy  face 
from  my  sins,  and  blot  out  mine  iniquities. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  199 

When  Evil  Entreated. 

Give  me,  0  my  God,  a  heart  full  of 
Christian  meekness  and  charity,  that  I 
may  wilhngly  forget  the  evil  I  have  re- 
ceived, and  be  always  disposed  to  do  good 
to  others. 

In  difficult  Circumstances. 

I  WILL  lift  up  my  eyes  unto  the  hills, 
from  whence  cometh  my  help.  Hear  my 
prayers,  0  Lord,  and  let  my  cry  come 
unto  thee.  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me  in 
the  time  of  my  trouble. 

Cause  me  to  know  the  way  wherein  I 
should  walk ;  for  I  lift  up  my  soul  unto 
thee. 

Lord,  I  am  oppressed ;  undertake  for 
me.     In  all  my  ways  may  I  acknowledge 


200  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

thee ;  and  do  thou  in  mercy  direct  my 
path. 

At  Self- Examination. 

Examine  me,  0  Lord,  and  prove  me; 
try  thou  my  reins  and  my  heart. 

Search  me,  0  God,  and  know  my  heart : 
try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  ;  and  see 
if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me ;  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting. 

On  any  Loss. 

The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord. 

It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth 
him  good.  Enable  me  to  bear  patiently 
whatever  trials  may  be  allotted  me,  firmly 
trusting  in  thy  word,  that  all  things  shall 
J 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  201 

work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love 
thee 

In  Trouble  of  Mind. 

When  my  heart  is  overwhelmed  within 
me,  lead  me  to  the  Rock  that  is  higher 
than  I.  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  0  my 
soul  ;  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  within 
me ;  Hope  thou  in  God  ;  for  I  shall  yet 
praise  Him,  who  is  the  health  of  my  coun- 
tenance and  my  God. 

Before  Prayer. 

Lord,  teach  me  to  pray.  Quicken  me 
that  I  may  call  upon  thy  name. 

Before  Reading  the  Scriptures. 

Open  thou  mine  ey(!S,  that  I  may  be- 
hold   wondrous    things  out  of   thy  law. 


202  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Sanctify  me  through  thy  truth ;  thy  word 
is  truth. 

On  Going  to  Church. 

How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  0 
Lord  of  Hosts !  My  soul  longeth,  yea, 
my  heart  and  my  flesh  crietli  out  for  the 
living  God. 

On  Going  to  Bed. 

I  WILL  lay  me  down  in  peace,  and  take 
my  rest ;  for  it  is  thou.  Lord,  only  that 
makest  me  to  dwell  in  safety. 


DEVOUT  MEDITATIONS. 


MEDITATION  I. 

On  Communion  with  God  in  Secret. 

[Bp.  Ken. 

Retire,  0  my  soul !  from  the  busy- 
world,  and  employ  thyself  about  that  for 
which  thou  wert  created  : — The  contem- 
plation of  thy  God.  I  will  hasten  to  my 
closet,  or  yonder  solitary  walk,  and  there 
sequestered  from  a  vexatious  world,  I  will 
not  sufifer  a  single  thought  of  it  to  approach 
me,  unless  by  way  of  pity  and  contempt. 

How  delightful  is  it,  0  my  soul !  for 
thee  to  enjoy  this  sweet  communion  with 
thy  God,  and  thus  to  dwell  upon  divine 

203 


204  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

objects.  Here  am  I  safe,  and  at  rest,  in 
this  dear  place  of  quiet;  and  earnestly 
pity  all  tlie  men  of  business  and  hurry, 
whose  heads  are  full  of  perplexing  con- 
trivances, to  procure  a  little  happiness  in 
a  world  where  there  is  no  such  thing. 

0  blessed  freedom !  0  charming  soli- 
tude !  T  will  grasp  you,  and  I  will  hold 
you  fast — the  delight  of  silence  and  re- 
treat! Here  1  can  unburthen  my  soul, 
and  pour  it  out  before  my  God.  Here  I 
can  wrestle  with  the  powers  of  heaven, 
and  not  lei  them  go  till  I  have  obtained 
a  blessing.  Here  I  can  confess  my  sins, 
and  with  hopes  of  comfort  lay  open  my 
troubled  breast  before  the  merciful  Hearer 
of  my  prayers. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  205 


MEDITATION  II. 

On  the   Willingness  of  the  Saviour  to  re- 
ceive the  coming  Penitent. 

[Mrs.  Holdemess. 

Have   the   pangs    of    awakened  con- 
science shown  thee  thy  guilt,   thy  folly  ? 
Art  thou  mourning  over  a  sense   of  thy 
departures  from  God  ?     Rest  assured  the 
hand  of  mercy  has   opened  thine    eyes. 
Have  the  tears  of  true  repentance  stream- 
ed over  the  contemplated  picture  of  hu- 
man  guilt,    and    human    frailty  ?      Oh  ! 
doubt  not  then  the  interest  of  our  com- 
passionate Redeemer.     Hast  thou  resolv- 
ed that  thou  wilt,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross, 
lay  down  all  worldly  affections,  and  serve 
the  true  and  living  God  ?     Oh,  fear  not 
_ 


206  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

then  :  for  thee  has  the  body  of  the  cruci- 
fied Saviour  been  hfted  on  the  cross  ;  that 
thou,  by  looking  thereto,  might  be  healed. 


MEDITATION  III. 

On  the  Love  of  the  Saviour. 

[Bp.  Ken. 

0  God,  my  Saviour  and  my  Lord, 
grant,  I  beseech  thee,  that  the  contempla- 
tions of  thy  dear  love  may  i^ever  inspire 
my  inflamed  heart  with  the  zealous  return 
of  love  to  thee,  my  God,  and  with  the 
most  fervent  charity  to  all  the  members 
of  thy  holy  church,  whether  they  are  my 
friends  or  my  causeless  enemies.  0  let 
me  never,  by  the  coldness  of  my  aflec- 
tions  for  my  neighbors  and  fellow-Chris- 
tians, make  myself  unworthy  of  that  love 


PRITATE     DEVOTION.  207 

of  thine  which  has  now  employed  my 
meditations;  and  since  without  charity, 
no  other  virtue  or  religious  duty  is  accept- 
able in  thy  sight,  let  it  be  my  daily  exer- 
cise to  attain  it,  that  at  length  I  may  be 
a  perfect  proficient  in  the  school  of  love, 
and  my  humble  soul  may  breathe  out 
nothing  else  ;  that  no  provocation  or  af- 
fronts of  the  most  wilful  malice  may  ever 
stir  up  in  me  the  spirit  of  revenge,  or 
abate  my  charity  ;  but  let  this  celestial 
fire  of  heavenly  love  ever  burn  in  my  fer- 
vent breast  upon  earth,  till  it  is  perfected 
at  last  in  the  blessed  regions  of  eternal 
love. 


208  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

MEDITATION  IV. 

God^  the  friend  of  Ms  People. 

[Rev.  J.  W.  Cunningham. 

How  great  a  God  is  our  God  !  How- 
powerful  and  tender  a  friend  is  our  Re- 
deemer !  He  hath  done  all  things  well. 
He  hath  made  both  the  haughty  to  trem- 
ble, and  the  miserable  to  rejoice.  He 
hath  spoken  peace  to  our  souls.  We  sail, 
indeed,  amidst  angry  winds  upon  a  rough 
sea  ;  but  none  of  these  things  move  us 
while  the  ruler  of  the  storm  is  with  us, 
and  sheds,  from  behind  the  cloud  which 
hides  him  from  the  world,  the  consolations 
of  his  grace  and  love. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  209 


MEDITATION  V. 
For  the  Sabbath. 

[Mrs.  Holdemess. 

Retire,  0  my  soul !  and  in  the  inmost 
recesses  of  thy  chamber  pour  out,  in  hum- 
ble prayer  and  ardent  praise,  thy  feelings 
to  thy  God  :  let  it  be  to  thee  a  joyful  and 
a  valued  privilege,  to  spend  this  holy  and 
consecrated  day  peculiarly  as  in  his  pre- 
sence ;  either  in  the  public  sanctuary,  in 
private  communion,  in  family  worship,  or 
in  conversation  holy  and  profitable  for  thy 
eternal  good.  Carry  with  thee  to  God's 
house  a  spirit  of  lively  devotion  for  prayer, 
a  spirit  of  solemn  attention  to  hear,  that 
the  preaching  of  the  word  may  not  be  in 
vain  unto  thee,  but  that  it  may  be  found 
by  thee  "  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  re- 


is-- 


210  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

proof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in 
righteousness ;"  that  thou  mayest  become 
"perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  to  all 
good  works."  At  home,  recount  the  un- 
wearied mercies  of  thy  heavenly  Father, 
and  think  upon  his  unbounded  love. 


MEDITATION  VI. 

On  the  loss  of  Beloved  Friends. 

[Rev.  C.  Bradley. 

We  love  the  creature  too  well.  We 
put  it  above  our  God — and  this  is  the 
way  in  which  he  casts  it  from  its  throne. 
He  suffers  the  reed  we  lean  upon  to  pierce 
us  as  it  breaks :  he  allows  the  idol  which 
drew  our  affections  from  him,  to  wound 
us  as  well  a3  fail  us.  And  then  our  eyes 
are  open:  our  misery  brings  us  to  our- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  211 

selves.  We  remember  that  none  can 
satisfy  the  soul  but  God.  V/e  turn  from 
our  broken  idols  and  withered  gourds, 
and  our  language  is,  Why  did  I  lean  for 
happiness  so  long  on  what  I  could  not 
keep  ?  Why  do  I  still  cling  so  closely  to 
the  objects  which  death  may  tear  from 
me  in  an  hour  ?  I  will  strive  to  wean 
this  wounded  heart  of  mine  from  a  dying 
world.  I  will  not  love  it  as  I  have  done. 
I  will  seek  my  comforts  in  things  which 
death  cannot  reach,  I  will  not  rest  in 
any  thing  below  my  God.  My  exalted 
Lord  shall  have  the  heart  he  died  to  gain. 


212  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


MEDITATION  VII. 

On  the  Hindrances  to  a  Holy  Life. 

[Author  of  the  Retrospect. 

Oh,  how  many  things  from  time  to  time 
are  striving  to  wean  my  heart  from  God, 
who  in  love,  as  much  as  in  just  dominion 
over  my  existence,  commands  me  to  give 
it  him.  I  gave  him  no  portion  of  it !  A 
thousand  passing  vanities,  one  after  an- 
other, promised  it  for  a  day  ;  but  he,  the 
Author  of  all  good,  was  not  in  my  thoughts 
or  desires ;  and  now,  when  I  would  pre- 
sent it,  a  holy,  undivided  sacrifice,  what  an 
unworthy  offering  it  is !  Often  it  is  so 
cold,  perplexed,  polluted,  fearful,  and  un- 
believing, that  i:  every  hour  needs  renewed 
pardon.     And  will  it  ever  continue  such  ? 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  213 

Oh,  thou,  who  alone  canst  affect  the 
mighty  change,  do  thou  speak  the  word, 
and  thy  servant  will  be  healed! 


MEDITATION   VIII. 

On  the  Goodness  of  God. 

[Bickersteth. 

The  love  of  God  has  indeed  abounded 
towards  me  in  innumerable  ways,  both  in 
temporal  comforts  and  spiritual  privileges. 
But  especially  am  I  indebted  to  his  long- 
suffering  and  long-sparing  mercy,  that  I 
have  not  been  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  my 
sins :  the  fountain  opened  for  sin  and  un- 
cleanness  is  yet  flowing,  yet  accessible, 
and  that  for  me ;  the  bread  of  life  is  yet 
tendered  to  me ;  the  means  of  grace  and 
the   hope   of  glory   are    yet    continued. 


214  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

There  is  still  a  way  of  access  to  the  throne 
of  grace,  and  the  sure  mercies  of  Christ 
may  yet  be  obtained.  Through  the  same 
goodness  I  have  another  opportunity  of 
approaching  his  mercy-seat,  and  seeking 
an  interest  in  his  redemption.  Others 
have  been  called  to  the  eternal  world  to 
render  in  their  solemn  account,  and  I  have 
been  spared  a  little  longer  to  recover  my 
strength.  I  will  go,  then,  and  cast  my- 
self under  the  wings  of  the  Son  of  Righte- 
ousness. I  will  take  refuge  in  his  name, 
and  now  seek  his  salvation. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  215 

MEDITATION   IX. 

On   Christ  as  a  Refuge  in   the  Time  of 
Troiihle. 

[Bickersteth. 

I  SHOULD  have  perished  in  my  sins,  but 
for  redeeming  mercy  and  love.  Blessed 
be  God  for  Jesus,  the  rock  of  my  salva- 
tion. This  Rock  it  is  that  defends  me 
from  the  stormy  yet  justly  merited  billows 
of  divine  wrath.  The  fury  of  the  tem- 
pest, that  dreadful  vengeance  which  would 
for  ever  have  overwhelmed  me,  he  did 
encounter,  that  I  might  be  safe.  Now, 
sheltered  by  this  Rock,  though  I  may  hear 
the  roaiing  and  dashing  of  that  terrible 
sea,  which,  if  unprotected  would  have 
swept  me  away  into  endless  ruin,  yet  I  am 
entirely  safe ;  not  a  wave  shall  come  near 


216  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

me.  Oh,  in  every  trying  hour,  lead  me  to 
this  Rock,  that  Jesus  may  ever  be  my 
hiding-place  and  my  covert.  Here  only 
I  am  secure.  He  is  unchangeable  and 
immoveable  ;  the  same  yesterday,  to-day, 
and  for  ever. 


MEDITATION   X. 

On  devoting  ourselves   to   the   service  of 
Christ. 

[Rev.  Dan.  Wilson. 

You  can  only  escape  the  tyranny  of  the 
world  by  entering  the  service  of  a  better 
Lord.  In  proportion  as  you  transfer  your 
thoughts  and  affections  to  your  Saviour, 
will  your  distaste  for  a  mere  earthly  life 
be  strengthened.  You  will  have  no  time 
nor  inclination  for  vanity  and  folly.     The 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  2lY 

cross  of  Christ,  seen  by  faith,  will  enable 
you  to  crucify  the  world.  It  will  bring 
you  pardon  and  victory.  It  will  engage 
you  in  another  cause,  occupy  you  with 
other  objects,  and  introduce  you  into  other 
society.  It  will  detect  all  the  glare  and 
imposition  of  earthly  things.  The  myste- 
rious death  of  the  incarnate  Saviour  will 
fix  your  heart,  produce  hatred  of  sin,  re- 
concile you  to  reproach,  deliver  you  from 
the  fear  of  man,  and  make  obedience  de- 
lightful. 


MEDITATION  XI. 

On  Prayer. 

0  MY  soul !  what  canst  thou  desire  be- 
yond this  ?  Ask  whatsoever  thou  wilt  in 
the  name  of  Jesus,  and  in  the  faith  of  his 

19 


218  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

holy  word  ;  and  if  it  be  for  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  real  good  of  thy  soul,  thou 
shalt  as  surely  have  thy  request  granted, 
as  that  the  Lord  Jehovah  liveth,  and  an- 
swereth  prayer, — Author  of  the  Retrospect. 
0  Lord,  I  know  not  what  I  should  ask 
of  thee.  Thou  only  knowest  what  I 
want ;  and  thou  lovest  me  better  than  I 
can  love  myself.  0  Lord,  give  to  me,  who 
desires  to  be  i\  y  child,  what  is  proper, 
whatsoever  it  may  be.  I  dare  not  ask 
either  crosses  or  comforts.  I  only  present 
myself  before  thee ;  I  open  my  heart  to 
thee.  Behold  my  wants,  which  I  am 
ignorant  of:  but  do  thou  behold,  and  do 
according  to  thy  mercy.  Smite  or  heal ; 
depress  or  raise  me  up :  I  adore  all  thy 
purposes,  without  knowing  them :  I  am 
silent,  I  offer  myself  in  sacrifice.     I  aban- 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  219 

don  myself  to  thee,  having  no  greater  de- 
sire than  to  accomphsh  thy  will.  Teach 
me  to  pray.  Pray  thou  myself  in  me. — 
Ahp.  Fenelon. 


MEDITATION  XII, 

On  the  Sufferings  of  Christ. 

[Scott. 

Once  more,  0  my  soul !  let  thy  medi- 
tations turn  for  a  moment  on  the  compli- 
cated cruelties  and  indignities  to  which 
the  holy  and  spotless  Lamb  of  God  was 
exposed.  He  was  wounded  and  scourged, 
that  thou  mightest  be  healed.  He  was 
arrayed  with  scorn  in  the  purple  robe, 
that  he  might  procure  for  thee  the  robe 
of  righteousness  and  salvation.  He  was 
crowned  with  thorns,  that  thou  mightest 


220  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

be  crowned  with  honor  and  immortahty. 
He  stood  speechless  that  thou  mightest 
have  an  all-prevaihng  plea.  He  endured 
torture,  that  thou  mightest  have  a  strong 
consolation.  He  thirsted,  that  thou 
mightest  drink  of  the  waters  of  life. — 
He  bore  the  wrath  of  the  Father,  that 
thou  mightest  enjoy  his  favor.  He  was 
numbered  with  transgressors,  that  thou 
mightest  be  made  equal  with  the  angels. 
He  died,  that  thou  mightest  live  for  ever  ! 
Oh !  then,  let  me  often  retire  and  medi- 
tate on  this  scene,  and  admire  his  immea- 
sureable  love,  that  I  may  learn  to  mourn 
for  sin,  and  hate  it,  and  rejoice  in  my 
obho-ations  to  such  a  Redeemer,  until 
I  am  constrained  to  live  no  longer  unto 
myself,  but  to  him  who  died  for  me,  and 
rose  agrain. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION,  221 

MEDITATION   XIII. 
On  Death. 

[Caesar  Malaa. 

We  were  born,  and  we  must  die.  The 
time  allotted  to  us  here  below  is  short 
indeed.  If  we  stretch  out  our  hands,  we 
may  almost  touch  the  portals  which  ter- 
minate the  path  of  our  mortal  pilgrimage. 
If  we  listen  with  attention,  we  seem  to 
hear  the  labor  of  him  who  is  enoracred  in 
preparing  our  graves;  and,  if  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  pleased  to  open  our  ears,  we  may 
already  discern  the  sounds  which  proceed 
from  the  celestial  abodes. 

Listen,  0  my  soul,  to  this  warning  voice 
with  the  deepest  attention !  "  All  flesh  is 
grass,  and    the   glory  of   man  is  as  the 

19* 


222  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

flower  of  the  field."  Fresh  and  verdant 
in  the  morning,  it  adorns  the  meadow : 
the  sight  is  gladdened  at  its  beauty,  and 
it  sheds  sweet  perfumes  around.  "  In 
the  evening  it  is  cut  down  and  withered  !" 
Its  glory  is  departed  ;  and  it  tells  us  that 
a  few  hours  must  suffice  for  earthly  enjoy- 
ments. The  day  is  passed — the  grass 
and  the  flowers  thereof  are  gone. 


MEDITATION  XIV. 

On  the  Joys  of  Heaven. 

[Bp.  Ken. 

Hail,  the  despised  followers  of  the 
poverty  of  Jesus !  he  had  no  estates, — he 
had  no  purchase  on  earth,  not  *'a  hole 
wherein  to  lay  his  sacred  head."  In  this 
you  were  like  your  suff"ering  Lord;    for 


PRIVATE     DEVOTIOX.  223 

your  treasures  were  in  heaven,  where  you 
now  enjoy  them  with  an  assurance  of 
an  everlasting  possession;  you  are  now 
no  longer  heirs  but  actual  inheritors  of 
that  kingdom  of  inexpressible  wealth,  from 
which  he  has  utterly  debarred  all  that  are 
encumbered  with  riches  here  below,  and 
place  their  security  and  reliance  on  them. 
What  divine  melody  is  this,  0  my  soul, 
which  thus  charms  my  ravished  thoughts  ? 
What  vigorous  echoes  of  joy  inexpressi- 
ble are  these  I  hear  ?  These  can  be  none 
other  than  the  voices  of  angels.  Oh,  the 
fervor  of  this  joy !  as  if  their  heavenly 
breasts  were  unable  to  contain  the  flamin^r 

o 

zeal  within.  Lo !  how  they  break  forth 
into  the  most  ardent  expressions,  and  pa- 
thetic hallelujahs  to  your  Creator's  glory  ! 
Hark  !  what  heavenly  song  is  this  I  hear  ? 


224  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

"  Holy,  holy,  lioly,  Lord  God  Almighty  ! 
which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.  Bless- 
ing, honor,  power,  and  glory,  be  unto  him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the 
Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever !" 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  225 


SELF-EXAMINATION. 


Examine  yourselves  whethei*  ye  be  in  the  faith;  prove 
your  own  selves.— 2  Cor.  xiii.  5. 


It  is  only  by  scrutinizing  the  heart  that 
we  can  know  it.  It  is  only  by  knowing 
the  heart  that  we  can  reform  the  life. 
Any  careless  observer  indeed,  when  his 
watch  goes  wrong,  may  see  that  it  does 
so  by  casting  an  eye  on  the  dial  plate ; 
but  it  is  only  the  artist  who  takes  it  to 
pieces  and  examines  every  spring  and 
every  wheel  separately,  and  who,  by  as- 
certaining the  precise  causes  of  the  irreg- 
ularity, can  set  the  machine  right,  and 
restore  the  obstructed  movements.  Dr. 
Barrow  has  remarked,  that  '"  it  is  a  pecu- 


226  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

liar  excellency  of  human  nature,  and 
which  distinguishes  man  from  the  inferior 
creatures  more  than  bare  reason  itself, 
that  he  can  reflect  upon  all  that  is  done 
within  him,  can  discern  the  tendencies  of 
his  soul,  and  is  acquainted  with  his  own 
purposes." 

Nothing  more  plainly  shows  us  what 
weak,  vascillating  creatures  we  are,  than 
the  difficulty  we  find  in  fixing  ourselves 
down  to  the  very  self-scrutiny  we  had  de- 
liberately resolved  on.  Like  the  worth- 
less Roman  emperor,  we  retire  to  our 
closet  under  the  appearance  of  serious 
occupation,  but  might  now  and  then  be 
surprised,  if  not  in  catching  flies,  yet  in 
pursuits  nearly  as  contemptible.  Some 
trifle  which  we  should  be  ashamed  to 
dwell  upon  at  any  time,  intrudes  itself  on 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  227 

the  moments  dedicated  to  serious  thought ; 
recollection  is  interrupted ;  the  whole 
chain  of  reflection  broken,  so  that  the 
scattered  links  cannot  again  be  united. 
And  so  inconsistent  are  we,  that  we  are 
sometimes  not  sorry  to  have  a  plausible 
pretence  for  interrupting  the  very  em- 
ployment in  which  we, had  just  before 
made  it  a  duty  to  engage.  For  want  of 
this  home  acquaintance,  we  remain  in  utter 
ignorance  of  our  inability  to  meet  even 
the  ordinary  trials  of  life  with  cheerful- 
ness ;  indeed  by  this  neglect  we  confirm 
that  inability. 

We  have  appetites  to  control,  imagina- 
tions to  restrain,  tempers  to  regulate,  pas- 
sions to  subdue  ;  and  how  can  this  internal 
work  be  effected,  how  can  our  thoughts 
be  kept  within  due  bounds,  how  can  a 


228  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

proper  bias  be  given  to  the  affections, 
how  can  the  little  state  of  man  be  pre- 
served from  continual  insurrection,  how 
can  this  restraining  power  be  maintained, 
if  this  capacity  of  discerning,  if  this  facul- 
ty of  inspecting  be  not  kept  in  regular  ex- 
ercise ?  Without  constant  discipline,  im- 
agination will  become  outlaw,  conscience 
an  attainted  rebel. 

This  inward  eye,  this  power  of  intro- 
version, is  given  us  for  a  continual  watch 
upon  the  soul.  On  an  unremitted  vigil- 
ance over  its  interior  motions,  those  fruit- 
ful seeds  of  action,  those  prolific  princi- 
ples of  vice  and  virtue,  will  depend  both 
the  formation  and  the  growth  of  our  moral 
and  religious  character.  A  superficial 
glance  is  not  enough  for  a  thing  so  deep, 
an  unsteady   view  will  not  suflSce  for  a 


PRIVATE     DEVOnON.  229 


thing  so  wavering,  nor  a  casual  look  for  a 
thing  so  deceitful  as  the  human  heart.  A 
partial  inspection  on  any  one  side,  will 
not  be  enough  for  an  object  which  must 
be  observed  under  a  variety  of  aspects, 
because  it  is  always  sliifting  its  positions, 
always  changing  its  appearances. 

We  should  examine  not  only  our  con- 
duct but  our  opinions  ;  not  only  our  faults 
but  our  prejudices  ;  not  only  our  propen- 
sities but  our  judgments.  Our  actions 
themselves  will  be  obvious  enough  ;  it  is 
our  intentions  which  require  the  scrutiny. 
These  we  should  follow  up  to  their  remot- 
est springs,  scrutinize  to  their  deepest 
recesses,  trace  through  their  most  per- 
plexing windings.  And  lest  we  should  in 
our  pursuit  wander  in  uncertainty  and 
blindness,  let  us  make  use  of  that  guiding 

20 


.30  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


clue,  as  furnished  by  his  word,  and  by  his 
Spiiit,  for  conducting  us  tlirough  the  in- 
tricacies of  this  labyrinth.  What  I  know 
not  teach  thou  me,  should  be  our  con- 
stant petition  in  all  our  researches.* 

Nor  must  the  examination  be  occasional, 
but  regular.  Let  us  not  run  into  lonof 
arrears,  but  settle  our  accounts  frequently. 
Little  articles  will  run  up  to  a  large 
amount,  if  they  are  not  cleared  off.  Even 
our  innocent  days,  as  we  may  choose  to 
call  them,  will  not  have  passed  without 
furnishing  their  contingent — our  deadness 
in  devotion — our  eagerness  for  human  ap- 
plause— our  care  to  conceal  our  faults 
rather  than  to  correct  them — our  negli- 
gent performance  of  some  relative  duty — 
our  imprudence  in  conversation,  especially 

»  Vido  Practical  Piety,  Vol.  i. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  231 


at  table — our  inconsideration — our  drivinaf 
to  the  very  edge  of  permitted  indulgences; 
— let  us  keep  these — let  us  keep  all  our 
numerous  items  in  small  sums.  Let  us 
examine  them  while  the  particulars  are 
fresh  in  our  memory  ;  otherwise  however 
we  may  flatter  ourselves  that  lesser  evils 
will  be  swallowed  up  by  the  greater,  we 
may  find  when  we  come  to  settle  the 
grand  account,  that  they  will  not  be  the 
less  remembered  for  not  having  been  re- 
corded. 

In  the  discharge  of  this  necessary  and 
important  duty,  the  Christian  should  re- 
member that  every  day  he  lives  he    has 

A  God  to  Glorify.— 1  Cor.  vi.  20. 
A  Soul  to  Save.— Phil.  ii.  12,  13. 
Repeutauce  to  seek  andperfoi'm. — Acts  v.  31. 
Luke  xiii.  3. 


232  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


A  Saviour  to  believe  and  imitate. — Acts  xvi. 

31.     1  Pkt.  ii.  21. 
A  Body  tf)  mortify    throagli   the  Spirit. — Rom 

viii.  13. 
Graces    and    Virtues   to    implore    by    earnest 

Prayer.— Phil.  iv.  6.     Mark  xi.  24. 
Sins  to  weep  over  and  forsake. — Luke  vii.  38. 

Prov.  xxviii.  13. 
Mercies    and    Deliverances    to  remember. — 

PsAL.  Ivi,  12,  13.     PsAL.  ciii.  1,  4. 
A  Hell  to  avoid. — Matt.  iii.  7.     Psal.  ix.  17. 
A  Paradise  to  gain. — Rev.  ii.  7,  10. 
An  Eternity  to  meditate  ou. — Coloss.  iii.  2. 
Time  to  redeem. — Ephes.  v.  16. 
A   Neighbor   to    edify. — Rom.   xv.    2.     Luke 

xxii.  32. 
Works  of  Ciiarity  to  perform. — Matt.  xxv.  40. 
A  World  to  fear  and  yet  to  conquer. — 2  Cor. 

vi.  17.     1  John  v.  4. 
Devils  to  combat. — Eph  vi.  12. 
Passions   to   subdue. — 2  Cor.  x  .  5.  Eph.   iv. 

31,  32. 
And,  perhaps,  Death  to  snff^^r. — Luke  xii.  20. 
And  Judgment  to  undergo. — 2  Cor.  v.  10. 
And  all  th3se  must  be  met  and  performed  in 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  233 


the  Grace  of  Christ,  aud  uot  iu  your 
own  strength,  which  is  perfect  weak- 
ness.— 2  CoR,  xiii.  10.     Phil.  iv.  13. 

There  is  a  spurious  sort  of  self-exami- 
nation, which  does  not  serve  to  enlighten 
but  to  blind.  A  person  who  has  left  off 
some  notorious  vice,  who  has  softened 
some  shades  of  a  cjlarinof  sin,  or  substitut- 
ed  some  outward  forms  in  the  place  of 
open  religion,  looks  on  his  change  of  char- 
acter with  pleasure.  He  compares  him- 
self with  what  he  was,  and  views  the 
alteration  with  self-complacency.  He  de- 
ceives himself  by  taking  his  standard  from 
his  former  conduct,  or  from  the  character 
of  stili  worse  men,  instead  of  taking  it 
from  the  unerring  rule  of  Scripture.  He 
looks  rather  at  the  discredit  than  the  sin- 
fulness of  his  former  life,  and  being  more 

^0* 


234  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

ashamed  at  what  is  disreputable  than 
grieved  at  wliat  is  vicious,  he  is,  in  this 
state  of  shallow  reformation,  more  in  dan- 
ger in  proportion  as  he  is  more  in  credit. 
He  is  not  aware  that  it  is  not  having  a 
fault  or  two  less  that  will  carry  him  to 
heaven,  while  his  heart  is  still  glued  to 
the  world  and  estranged  from  God. 

How  necessary  then  it  is  that  the 
Christian  should  minutely  examine  his 
motives  and  actions — that  he  should  con- 
stantly say,  with  the  Royal  Psalmist, — 
**  Search  me,  0  God,  and  know  my  heart ; 
try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  ;  and  see 
if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting."  In  dis- 
charging this  duty,  the  Christian  will  be 
greatly  assisted,  by  attending  to  the  fol- 
lowing simple  rules : — 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  235 

I.  Let  a  fixed  time  he  set  ajiart  every  morn- 
ing and  evening  for  this  purpose. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  any  rule  as  to 
the  length  of  time  that  should  be  given. 
The  obligations  of  persons  vary  with  their 
situations  and  circumstances  ;  but  let  us 
give  as  much  time,  as,  consistently  with 
our  other  duties,  we  can  spare,  and  let 
the  time  in  every  case  be  so  employed,  not 
as  a  task,  but  as  a  blessing ;  not  merely 
as  a  requirement,  but  as  a  privilege  and 
advantage  ;  for  the  more  close,  faithful, 
and  diligent  you  are  in  self-examination, 
the  more  comfort  and  benefit  you  are  likely 
to  receive  in  the  end. 


236  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

11.  Consider  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the 
great  test  hy  which  you  are  to  try  your-- 
self. 

They  are  the  only  true  standard  of  self- 
examination — the  touchstone  which  dis- 
covers at  once  the  character  of  the  metal ; 
and  by  comparing  your  state  with  the 
most  practical  and  spiritual  parts  of  God's 
word,  and  varying  those  parts  from  time 
to  time,  you  try  yourself  by  a  perfecL  and 
infalUble  standard. 

III.   Conduct  this  examination  in  the  spirit 
of  Prayer, 

Prayer  is  the  guide  to  self-knowledge, 
by  prompting  us  to  look  after  our  sins, 
in  order  to  pray  against  them ;  it  is  a  mo- 


PRIVATE     D  E  V  O  T  I  O  X  .  237 

tive  to  vigilance  by  teaching  us  to  guard 
ao^ainst  those  sins,  which,  throuojh  self- 
examination,  we  have  been  enabled  to 
detect. 

lY.  Beware  of  formality  and  self -ri  ghteous- 
ness. 

Although  it  is  our  unbounden  duty  to 
guard  against  the  commission  of  sin,  and 
to  keep  ourselves  unspotted  from  the 
world,  yet  it  is  not  our  watchfulness 
against  sin,  or  our  performance  of  any 
religious  duty,  however  good  in  itself, 
which  constitutes  us  genuine  Christians. 
For  after  all  we  have  done  or  can  do,  we 
are  but  unprofitable  servants.  We  should 
hate  sin,  because  it  is  hateful  in  the  sight 
of  God,  we  should  seek  to  be  dehvered 
from  its  dominion  by  earnest  prayer,  and 


238  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

depend  alone  for  salvation  on  the  merits 
and  righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  is  emphatically  styled  the 
Lord  our  Righteousness  ;  for  all  depend- 
ance  upon  our  own  good  works  will  only 
prove  a  means  of  delusion  and  danger  to 
our  souls. 


A  PRAYER  BEFORE  SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  who 
art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity, 
who  searchest  the  heart  and  triest  the 
innermost  thoughts,!  beseech  thee  now  to 
assist  me  in  looking  into  my  own  heart, 
and  my  own  life.  Feeling  and  acknowl- 
edging that  my  heart  is  deceitful  above 
all  things,  and  desperately  wicked,  I  be- 
seech thee   to  show  me  to  myself.     Ena- 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  239 

ble  me  to  try  myself  by  the  standard  of 
thy  holy  word,  and  discover  the  true  state 
of  my  soul ;  give  me  repentance  for  all 
my  past  sins,  lively  faith  in  Jesus  Christ 
the  only  Saviour  from  sin,  deep  humility 
before  thee,  and  such  tempers  and  disposi- 
tions as  are  meet  for  tliose  who  assemble 
round  the  table  of  our  gracioas  Redeem- 
er. These  things  I  ask  for  his  name's 
sake. 


240  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


QUESTIONS  FOR   SELF-EXAMINATION. 


Morning. 

1.  Have  I  this  morning  sought  of  the  Lord 
his  special  grace  and  protection  for  the  day  ? 

2.  Am  I  going  forth  in  my  own  strength,  or 
simply  looking  to  God  alone  to  help  and  deli- 
ver ? 

3.  Am  I  so  sensible  of  my  own  weakness  as 
ever  to  watch  and  pray  ? 

4.  Am  I  living  by  faith  in  a  daily  and  simple 
dependance  on  God  ? 

5.  Do  I  constantly  remember  that  I  am  ac- 
countable to  God  for  a  right  improvement  of  the 
talents  entrusted  to  me  ? 

6.  Have  I  determined  to  lay  myself  out  this 
day  for  the  glory  of  God  ? 

7.  Are  all  the  faculties  of  my  soul  engaged  to 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


241 


render  affectionate,  intelligent,  sincere,  and  re- 
solute service  ? 

8.  Have  I  resolved,  in  the  strength  of  God,  to 
forsake  all  sins,  however  dear  to  me,  particu- 
larly my  besetting  sin,  whether  it  be  pride, 
envy,  malice,  covetousness,  impurity,  fear  of 
man,  or  any  other  sin  ? 

9.  Is  it  my  constant  desire  to  abstain  from, 
the  very  appearance  of  evil,  and  to  keep  myself 
unspotted  from  the  world  ? 


Evening, 

1.  Did  I  this  morning  make  my  resolutions  to 
walk  closely  with  God,  in  dependance  on  his 
gracious  assistance  ? 

2.  Have  I  this  day  put  up  petitions  against 
my  besetting  sins  ? 

3.  "What  have  I  committed,  and  what  omit- 
ted, to-day? 

4.  What  mercies  have  I  received  this  day — 


21 


242  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Answers   to   prayer — Deliverance   from   evil — 
Common  or  remarkable  blessings  ? 

5.  What  have  I  done  this  day  for  the  glory  of 
God  or  the  good  of  my  fellow-ci-eatures ;  or 
what  oppi)rtunitie8  have  I  neglected  of  promo- 
ting them  ? 

6.  Have  I  been  enabled  this  day  willingly  to 
take  up  my  cross  ? 

7.  Have  I  been  watching  to-day  against  the 
first  risings  of  pride  and  wordly-mindedness  ? — 
Have  I  guarded  against  the  appearance  of  evil? 

8.  Have  I  kept  up  a  lively  and  humble  de- 
pendaiice  upon  the  Divine  influence,  in  the 
duty  and  emergencies  of  the  day  ? 

9.  With  what  success  have  I  encountered  the 
sins  to  which  my  circumstances  or  constitution 
most  incline  me  ? 

10.  Have  I  been  looking  to  Jesus  as  my  right- 
eousness, my  strength,  and  my  example  ? 

11.  How  have  I  improved  my  time  this  day  ? 
— Have  I  made  any  progress  in  religion  ? — Have 


f 

PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

243 

I  th 

ought  of  Death   and  Judgment? — Have  I 

walked  with  God  ? 

12 

.  Have  I  this  day  tried  to  mortify  sin  1 

13 

.  Have  I  prayed,  and  how  ? — Have  I 

read 

the. 

Scriptures,  and  how  ? 

General  QuestioTis. 

1. 

Do  I    think  much  and  frequently  of  God. 

and 

am  I  zealous  for  his  glory  ? 

2. 

Do  I    enjoy  communion   with  God  when  I 

pray 

to  him,  or  desire  this  ? 

3. 

Do  I  strive  to  become  like  him  ? 

4. 

Am  I   actively  desiring  and   seeking 

the 

good 

of  all,  around  me,  even   as   I  desire 

my 

own 

7 

5. 

Is  my  love  to  others  like  that  of  Chr 

St  to 

me  ? 

6. 

Have  the  miseries   of  others  called 

forth 

com 

lassion  and  efforts  to  relieve  them  ? 

7. 

Am  I  seeking  the  salvation  of  my  fellow- 

creatures  ? 

244  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

8.  Is  sill  hateful  to  me? — Do  I  loathe  it  as  the 
worst  of  all  evils  ? 

9.  Have  I  an  habitual  mourning  for  sin  ? 

10.  Have  I  deeply  felt  my  corruption  and 
guilt  before  God  ? 

11.  Do  I  believe  that  the  Gospel  is  the  ap- 
pointed and  only  complete  way  of  salvation? 

12.  Do  I  rest  on  the  oidy  hope  of  forgiveness 
— redemption  through  the  blood  of  Christ  ? 

13.  Am  I  so  believing  in  Jesus  as  to  rely  upon 
him  as  my  Saviour  ? 

14.  Am  I  truly  grateful  to  God  for  his  great 
salvation  ? 

15.  Am  I  evidencing  this  by  a  care  to  please 
him  in  all  things  ? 

16.  Am  I  humble  and  lowly  In  mind,  affec- 
tion, and  conversation  ? 

17.  Do  the  sufferings  of  Christ  for  sin  affect 
my  heart  with  godly  sorrow  ? 

18.  Am  I  patient  under  crosses,  trials,  and 
injuries,  and  willing  to  suffer  reproach  for 
Christ's  sake  ? 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  245 

19.  Do  I  quietly  submit  to  God's  paiuful  dis- 
peiisatious  ?  * 

20.  Do  I  hunger  aud  thirst  after  righteous- 
ness? 

21.  Do  I  earnestly  desire  to  obtain  that  right- 
eousness which  is  through  the  faith   of  Christ  ? 

22.  Am  I  laboring  to  spread  the  Gospel  of 
Peace  ? 

23.  Do  I  seek  to  know  God  more  myself,  and 
to  ditfuse  his  knowledge  through  the  world  ? 

24.  Have  I  i-esigned  myself  to  the  will  of  God, 
to  do  and  suffer  his  pleasure  ? 

25.  How  do  I  spend  my  Sabbaths? — Do  I  not 
in  too  many  instances  employ  these  opportuni- 
ties of  mercy  in  unprofitable  and  sinful  conver- 
sation ;  in  doing  many  unnecessary  vvurks  ;  by 
travelling,  visiting,  &c.,  instead  of  improving 
them,  so  as  to  promote  the  glozy  of  God  aud  my 
own  spiritual  advantage  ? 


21* 


246  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


♦  RESOLUTIONS.* 

1.  Resolved,  that  I  will  do  whatever  I  think  to 
be  most  to  God's  glory  and  my  own  good,  pro- 
fit and  pleasure,  on  the  whole,  without  any 
consideration  of  the  time,  whether  now,  or 
never  so  many  myriads  of  ages  hence :  to  do 
whatever  I  think  to  be  my  duty,  and  most  for 
the  good  and  advantage  of  mankind  in  general 
— whatever  difficulties  I  meet  with,  how  many 
and  how  great  soever. 

2.  Resolved,  to  be  continually  endeavouring 
to  find  some  neio  contrivance  to  promote  the  fore- 
mentioned  things. 

3.  Resolved,  never  to  do,  be,  or  suffer,  any 
thing  in  soul  or  body,  less  or  more,  but  what 
tends  to  the  glory  of  God. 


*  These  resolutions  are  extracted  from  the  life  of  that 
admirable  Christian,  and  acute  reasoner,  President  J.  Ed- 
wards. They  seem  to  have  had  a  powerful  influence  in 
forming  his  character.  Of  the  seventy  we  select  the  fol- 
owint,'. 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  247 

4.  Resolved,  never  to  lose  one  moment  of 
time,  but  improve  it  in  the  most  profitable  w^ay 
I  possibly  can. 

5.  Resolved,  to  live  with  all  my  might,  v^rhile 
I  do  live.* 

6.  Resolved,  never  to  do  anything,  which  I 
should  be  afraid  to  do  if  it  were  the  last  hour  of 
my  life. 

7.  Resolved,  to  think  much,  on  all  occasions, 
of  my  own  dying,  and  of  the  common  circum- 
stances which  attend  death. 

8.  Resolved,  to  be  endeavoring  to  find  out  fit 
objects  of  charity  and  liberality. 

9.  Resolved,   never  do    anything   out  of  re- 


*  This  is  the  full  and  exact  import  of  the  Latin  motto 
"  Dam  vivimus,  vivamus,"  which  was  the  motto  of  Dr. 
Doddridge'3  family  coat-of-arms,  and  which  he  has  thus 
paraphrased — 

Live,  while  you  live,  the  Epicttre  would  say. 

And  sei2e  the  pleasures  of  the  present  day ; 

Live,  while  you  live,  the  sacred  preacher  cries, 

And  give  to  God  each  moment  as  it  flies. 

Lord,  in  my  view  let  both  imited  be, 

I  live  in  pleasure  when  I  live  to  thee." 


248  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

10.  Resolved,  never  to  suffer  the  least  motion 
of  anger  to  irrational  beings. 

11.  Resolved,  that  I  will  so  live  as  I  shall 
wish  I  had  done  when  I  come  to  die. 

12.  Resolved,  to  live  so  at  all  times,  as  I  think 
it  best  in  my  devout  frames,  and  when  I  have 
clearest  notions  of  the  gospel  and  another  world. 

13.  Resolved,  to  maintain  strict  temperance 
in  eating  and  drinking. 

14.  Resolved,  never  to  do  anything,  which  if 
I  should  see  in  another,  I  should  count  a  just  oc- 
casion to  despise  him  for,  or  to  think  any  way 
the  more  meanly  of  him. 

15.  Resolved,  whenever  I  do  any  evil  action, 
to  trace  it  back,  till  I  come  to  the  original  cause ; 
and  then  both  carefully  endeavor  to  do  so  no 
more,  and  to  fight  and  pray  with  all  my  might 
against  the  original  of  it. 

16.  Resolved,  to  study  the  scriptures  so  Read- 
ily, constantly  and  frequently,  as  that  I  may 
find,  and  plainly  perceive  myself  to  grow  in  the 
knowledge  of  the  same. 


PRIVATE      DEVOTION.  249 

17.  Resolved,  to  strive  to  my  utmost  every 
week  to  be  brought  higher  in  religion,  and  to  a 
higher  exercise  of  grace,  than  I  was  the  week 
before, 

18.  Resolved,  to  be  strictly  and  firmly  faith- 
ful to  ray  trust,  that  Prov.  xx.  6.  (A  faithful 
man  who  canflmil )  may  not  be  partly  fulfilled 
in  me, 

19.  Resolved,  always  to  do  what  I  can  to- 
wards making,  maintaining,  and  establishing 
peace,  when  it  can  be  done  without  an  ovei"bal- 
ancing  detriment  in  other  respects. 

20.  Resolved,  never  to  speak  in  narrations 
any  thing  but  the  pure  and  simple  truth. 

21.  Resolved,  never  to  speak  evil  of  any 
person  except  some  particular  good  call  for  it. 

22.  Resolved,  to  inquire  every  night  as  I  am 
going  to  bed,  wherein  I  have  been  negligent, 
what  sin  I  have  committed,  and  wherein  I  have 
denied  myself;  also  at  the  end  of  every  week, 
mouth,  and  year. 

23.  Resolved,  never  to  speak  anything  that  is 


250  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

ridiculous,  or  matter  of  laughter  on  the  Lord's 
day. 

24.  Resolved,  never  to  do  anything  that  I  so 
much  question  the  lawfulness  of,  as  that  I  in- 
tend, at  the  same  time  to  consider  and  examine 
afterwards,  whether  it  be  lawful  or  no  ;  except 
I  as  much  question  the  admission. 

25.  Resolved,  frequently  to  renew  the  dedica- 
tion of  myself  to  God,  which  was  made  at  my 
baptism,  which  I  solemnly  renewed,  when  I 
was  received  into  the  communion  of  the  church, 
and  which  I  have  solemnly  ratified  this  12th 
day  of  January,  1723. 

26.  Resolved,  never  to  act  as  if  I  were  any 
way  my  own,  but  entirely  and  altogether  God's. 

27.  Resolved,  constantly,  with  the  utmost 
niceness  and  diligence,  and  the  strictest  scruti- 
ny, to  be  looking  into  the  state  of  my  soul,  that 
1  may  know  whether  I  have  truly  an  interest 
in  Christ  or  no  ;  that  when  I  come  to  die,  I  may 
not  have  any  negligence  respecting  this  to  re- 
pent of. 


— 1 

PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  251 

28.  Resulved,  never  to  give  over,  nor  in  the 
least  to  slacken  my  fight  with  my  corruptions, 
however  unsuccessful  I  may  be. 

29.  Resolved,  when  I  fear  misfortunes  and 
adversities,  to  examiue  whether  I  have  done 
ray  duty,  and  resolve  to  do  it ;  aud  let  it  be  just 
as  Providence  orders  it,  I  will  as  far  as  I  can, 
be  concerned  about  nothiug  but  my  duty,  and 
my   sin. 

30.  Resolved,  never  to  do  auy thing  but  duty ; 
aud  then  according  to  Eph.  vi.  6 — 8,  do  it  wil- 
lingly aud  cheerfully  as  unto  the  Lord,  and  not 
to  man;  knowing  that  whatever  good  thing  auy 
man  doeth,  the  same  shall  he  receive  of  the 
Lord- 

31.  Resolved,  to  exercise  myself  much  in  this 
all  my  life  lung,  viz.  with  the  greatest  openness 
to  declare  my  ways  to  God,  and  to  lay  open  my 
soul  to  him  ;  all  my  sins,  temptations,  difficulties, 
sorrows,  fears,  hopes,  desires,  and  everything, 
and  every   circumstance,  according  to  Dr.  Man- 


252  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ton's    twenty-seventh    sermon    on    the    119th 
Psalm. 

32.  Resolved,  after  afflictions,  to  inquire  what 
am  I  the  better  for  them  *,.  what  good  I  have  got, 
and  what  I  might  have  got  by  them» 


CONFESSION  OF  SINS  AFTEK  SELF-EXAMINA- 
TION. 

0  Lord  God  Almighty,  the  Judge  of 
all  the  earth,  keeping  covenant  and  mer- 
cy to  them  that  love  him,  and  to  them 
that  keep  his  commandments,  have  mercy 
upon  me  a  miserable  sinner,  coming  back 
to  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus-  Chrii&t.  My 
conscience  accuses  me  of  many  transgres- 
sions and  much  disobedience.  If  in  any- 
thing I  have  not  greatly  sinned,  or  have  in 
a  measure  fulfilled  thy  will,  this  was  the 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION.  253 

work,  and  to  thee  alone  be  praise.  But, 
0  how  unfaithful  have  I  been  to  my  en- 
gagements, and  how  often  have  I  trans- 
gressed thy  law,  and  been  disobedient  to 
thy  holy  will ! 

I  desire  especially  to  confess  and  to  be- 
wail those  sins  for  which  my  own  heart 
more  particularly  condemns  me. 

And  how  much  of  my  sinfulness  is 
unknown  to  myself!  But  thou  art  ac- 
quainted with  all  my  ways  :  Oh,  cleanse 
Thou  me  from  my  secret  faults,  and  all 
my  known  transgressions.  Wash  me 
through  that  precious  blood  which  cleanses 
from  all  sin.  Give  me  grace  to  look  to 
Him  who  was  pierced  for  my  sins,  and  to 
mourn  for  them  with  that  godly  sorrow 
which  works  repentance  unto  salvation. 
Oh,  vouchsafe  unto  me  a  holy  sorrow  of 

22 


254  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

heart,  a  lively  faith  in  Christ,  and  a  sure 
hope  of  thy  mercy  through  him,  that  I 
may,  with  a  pacified  conscience,  a  believ- 
ing and  penitent,  and  a  grateful  and 
thankful  spirit,  go  to  partake  of  the  me- 
morials of  his  death.  Hear  me  for  his 
name's  sake.     Amen. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY. 


A  HYMN  OF  PRAISE. 

[Montgomery. 
O  God,  thou  art  my  God  alone, 

Early  tx)  thee  my  soul  shall  cry, 
A  pilgrim  in  a  land  unknown, 

A  thirsty  land  whose  springs  are  dry. 

Oh,  that  it  were  as  it  hatli  been. 
When,  praying  in  the  holy  place. 

Thy  power  and  glory  I  have  seen, 

And  mai-ked  the  footsteps  of  thy  grace 

Yet,  through  this  rough  and  thorny  maze, 
I  follow  hard  on  thee,  my  God ; 

Thine  hand,  unseen,  upholds  my  ways, 
I  safely  tread  where  thou  hast  trod. 

255 


256  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Thee,  in  the  watches  of  the  night, 

Will  I  remember  on  my  bed ; 
Thy  presence  makes  the  darkness  light, 

Thy  guardian  wings  are  round  my  head. 

Better  than  life  itself  thy  Jove, 

Dearer  than  all  beside  to  me ; 
For  whom  have  T  in  heaven  above, 

Or  what  on  earth  compared  with  Thee  ? 

Praise  with  my  heart,  my  mind,  my  voice, 
Will  I  for  all  thy  mercies  give  ; 

My  soul  shall  still  in  God  rejoice, 

My  tongue  shall  bless  thee  whilst  I  live. 


THE  ETERNITY  OF  GOD. 

[Rowe. 
Thou  didst,  O  Mighty  God,  exist 

Ere  time  began  its  race  ; 

Before  the  ample  elements 

Filled  up  the  voids  of  space : 


DEVOTIONAL    P  (I  ETRT.         257 

Before  the  ponderous  earthly  globe 

In  fluid  air  was  stayed ; 
Before  the  ocean's  mighty  springs 

Their  liquid  stores  displayed. 

Ere  men  adored,  or  angels  knew, 
Or  praised  thy  wondrous  name  ; 

Thy  bliss,  O  sacred  Spring  of  life 
And  glory  were  the  same. 

And  when  the  pillars  of  the  world, 

With  sudden  ruin,  break  ; 
And  all  this  vast  and  goodly  frame 

Sinks  in  the  mighty  wreck ; 

When  from  her  orb  the  moon  shall  start, 
The  astonished  sun  roll  back  ; 

While  all  the  trembling  starry  lamps 
Their  ancient  course  forsake  : 


22^ 


258  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

Forever  permanent  and  fixed, 

From  agitation  free ; 
Unchanged,  in  everlasting  years, 

Shall  thy  existence  be. 


GOD  EVERYWHERE. 

-    [Anonymous. 
Above — below — where'er  I  gaze, 

Thy  guiding  finger.  Lord,  I  view. 
Traced  in  the  midnight  planets'  blaze, 

Or  glistening  in  the  morning  dew ; 
Whate'er  is  beautiful  or  fair, 
Is  but  thine  own  reflection  there. 

I  hear  thee  in  the  stormy  wind, 

That  turns  the  ocean-wave  to  foam  ; 

Nor  less  thy  wondrous  power  I  find. 
When  summer  airs  around  me  roam  ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         259 

The  tempest  and  the  calm  declare 
Thyself, — for  thou  art  everywhere. 

I  find  thee  in  the  noon  of  night, 
And  read  thy  name  in  every  star, 

That  drinks  its  splendor  from  the  light 
That  flows  from  mercy's  beaming  car  : 

Thy  footstool.  Lord,  each  starry  gem 

Composes — not  thy  diadem. 

And  when  the  radiant  orb  of  light 

Hath  tipped  the  mountain-tops  with  gold, 

Smote  with  the  blaze  my  weary  sight 
Shrinks  from  the  wonders  I  behold  : 

That  ray  of  glory  bright  and  fair, 

Is  but  thy  living  shadow  there. 

Thine  is  the  silent  noon  of  night, 
The  twilight  eve — the  dewy  morn : 

"Whate'er  is  beautiful  and  bright. 

Thine  hands  have  fashioned  to  adorn  ; 


260  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Thy  glory  walks  in  every  sphere, 

And  all  things  whisper,  ♦  God  is  here  !" 


THE  BIBLE   OUR   ONLY   TRUE 
GUIDE. 

[Montgomery. 
What  is  the  world  ? — a  wildering  maze, 
Where  sin  hath  tracked  ten  thousand  ways, 

Her  victims  to  ensnare  ; 
All  broad,  and  winding,  and  aslope, 
All  tempting  with  perfidious  hope, 

All  ending  in  despair. 

Millions  of  pilgrims  throng  these  roads. 
Bearing  their  baubles  or  their  loads 

Down  to  eternal  night ; 
One  only  path  that  never  bends, 
Narrow,  and  rough,  and  steep,  ascends 

From  darkness  into  light 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  261 

Is  there  no  guide  to  show  that  path  ? 
The  Bible  ! — He  alone  who  hath 

The  Bible  need  not  stray  ; 
But  he  who  hath  and  will  not  give 
That  light  of  life  to  all  that  live, 

Himself  shall  lose  the  way. 


THE  THREE  MOUNTAINS. 

[Montgomery. 
When  on  Sinai's  top  I  see 
God  descend  in  Majesty, 
To  proclaim  his  holy  law. 
All  my  spirit  sinks  with  awe. 

When  in  ecstacy  sublime, 
Tabor's  glorious  height  I  climb, 
In  the  too  transporting  light, 
Darkness  rushes  o'er  my  sight. 


262  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

When  on  Calvary  I  rest, 
God  in  flesh  made  manifest, 
Shines  in  my  Redeemer's  face, 
Full  of  beauty,  truth,  and  grace 

Here  I  would  for  ever  stay, 
Weep  and  gaze  my  soul  away ; 
Thou  art  heaven  on  earth  to  me. 
Lovely,  mournful  Calvary. 


FAITH. 

[Miss  Caroline  Fry. 
Faith,  like  an  unsuspecting  child. 
Serenely  resting  on  its  mother's  arm, 
Reposing  every  care  upon  her  God, 
Sleeps  on  his  bosom,  and  expects  no  harm. 

Receives  with  joy  the  promise  he  makes. 
Nor  questions  of  his  purpose  or  his  power  ; 


DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  263 

She  does  not  doubting  ask,  "Can  this  be  so?" 
The  Lord  has  said  it,  and  there  needs  no 


However  deep  be  tlie  mysterious  word, 
However  dark,  she  disbelieves  it  not : 
Where  Reason  would  examine,  Faith  obeys, 
And  "  It  is  written,"  ans^vers  every  doubt. 

In  vain  with  rude  and  overwhelming  force 
Conscience  repeats  her  tale  of  misery  ; 
And  powers  infernal,  wakeful  tc  destroy 
Urge  the  worn  spirit  to  despair  and  die. 

As  evening's  pale  and  bolJtary  star 

But  brightens  while   the   darkness   gathers 

round. 
So  Faith,  unmoved  amidst  surrounding  storms, 
Is  fairest  seen  in  darkness  most  profound. 


264  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

HOPE. 

[Cowper. 
Hope  sets  the  stamp  of  vanity  on  all 
That  men  have  deemed  substantial  since  the 

fall; 
Yet  has  the  w^ondrous  virtue  to  educe 
From  emptiness  itself  a  real  use ; 
And  while  she  takes,  as  at  a  father's  hand, 
What  health  and  sober  appetite  demand, 
From  fading  good  derives,  with  chemic  art. 
That  lasting  happiness,  a  thankful  heart. 
Hope  with  uplifted  foot,  set  free  from  earth. 
Pants  for  the  place  of  her  etherial  birth. 
On  steady  wings  sails  through  th'  immense 

abyss. 
Plucks  amaranthine  joys  from  bowers  of  bliss, 
And  crowns  the  soul  while  yet  a  mourner  here, 
With  wreaths  like  those  triumphant  spirits 

wear. 
Hope,  as  an  anchor,  firm  and  sure,  holds  fast 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  265 

The  Christian  vessel,  and  defies  the  blast. 
Hope  !  nothing  else  can  nourish,  or  secure 
His  new-born  virtues,  and  preserve  him  pure. 
Hope !  let  the  wretch,  once  conscious  of  the 

Whom  now  despairing  agonies  destroy, 
Speak,  for  he  can,  and  none  so  well  as  he 
What  treasures  centre, what  delights  in  thee. 
Had  he  the  gems,  the  spices  and  the  land, 
That  boasts  the  treasure,  all  at  his  command  ; 
The  fragrant  grove,  th'  inestimable  mine. 
Were  light,  when  weighed  against  one  smile 
of  thine. 


THE  BELIEVEPv'S  SAFETY. 

[Newton. 

That  man  no  guard  nor  weapon  needs, 
Whose  heart  the  blood  of  Jesus  knows  ; 

But  safe  may  pass,  if  duty  leads. 

Through  burning  sand  or  mountain  snows. 


23 


26G  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


Released  from  guilt,  he  feels  no  fear  ; 

Redomption  is  his  shield  and  tower  ; 
He  sees  his  Saviour  always  near 

To  help  in  every  trying  hour. 

Though  I  am  weak,  and  Satan  slrong, 
And  often  to  assault  me  tries  ; 

When  Jesus  is  my  shield  and  song. 
Abashed  the  wolf  before  mo  flies. 

His  love  possessing,  I  am  blest. 

Secure  whatever  change  may  come  ; 

Whither  1  go,  to  east  or  west, 
With  him  I  still  shall  be  at  home. 

If  placed  beneath  the  northern  pole, 
Though  winter  reigns  with  rigor  there  ; 

Hia  gracious  beams  would  cheer  my  soul, 
And  make  a  spring  throughout  the  year. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         267 

Or  if  the  desert's  sun-burnt  soil 

My  lonely  dwelling  e'er  should  prove  ; 

His  presence  would  support  my  toil, 
Whose  smile  is  life,  whose  voice  is  love. 


A  SOLEMN  LITANY. 

[Grant. 
Saviour  !  when  in  dust  to  thee 
Low  we  bend  th'  adoring  knee, 
When  repentant  to  the  skies 
Scarce  we  lift  our  streaming  eyes, — 
Oh,  by  all  thy  pains  and  wo, 
Suffer'd  once  for  man  below, 
Bending  from  thy  throne  on  high, 
Hear  our  solemn  litany  ! 

By  thy  helpless  infant  years — 
By  thy  life  of  want  and  tears — 


268  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

By  thy  days  of  sore  distress 

In  the  savage  wilderness — 

By  the  dread,  permitted  hour 

Of  th'  insulting  Tempter's  pow'r — 

Turn,  O  turn,  a  pitying  eye, 

Hear  our  solemn  fitany  ! 

By  the  sacred  griefs  that  wept 
O'er  the  grave  where  Laz'rus  slept— 
By  the  boding  tears  that  flow'd 
Over  Salem's  lov'd  abode — 
By  the  anguished  sigh  that  told 
Treachery  lurk'd  within  thy  fold — 
From  thy  seat  above  the  sky, 
Hear  our  solemn  litany  ! 

By  thine  hour  of  dire  despair — 
By  thine  agony  of  prayer — 
By  the  cross,  the  nail,  the  thorn, 
Piercing  spear,  and  torturing  scorn — 


J 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  269 

By  the  gloom  that  veiled  the  skies 
O'er  the  dreadful  sacrifice — 
Listen  to  our  humble  cry, 
Hear  our  solemn  litany  ! 

By  the  deep  expiring  groan — 
By  the  sad  sepulchral  stone — 
By  the  vault  whose  dark  abode 
Held  in  vain  the  rising  God — 
Oh,  from  earth  to  heaven  restor'd, 
Mighty,  re-ascended  Lord, 
Listen,  listen  to  the  cry 
Of  our  solemn  litany  ! 


VANITY  OF  LIFE. 

What  is  life  ? — a  rapid  stream, 
Rolling  onward  to  the  ocean. 

What  is  life  ? — a  troubled  dream, 
Full  of  incident  nnd  motion. 


[Anon. 


270  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 


What  is  life  ? — the  arrow's  flight, 
That  mocks  the  keenest  gazer's  eye. 

What  is  life  ? — a  gleam  of  light, 
Darting  through  a  stormy  sky. 

What  is  life  ? — a  varied  tale, 
Deeply  moving,  quickly  told. 

What  is  life  ? — a  vision  pale. 
Vanishing  while  we  behold. 

What  is  life  ? — a  smoke,  a  vapor, 
Swiftly  mingling  with  the  air. 

What  is  life  ? — a  dying  taper. 

The  spark  that  glows  to  disappear. 

What  is  life  ? — a  flower  that  blows. 

Nipped  by  the  frost,  and  quickly  dead. 
What  is  life  ? — the  full-blown  rose. 

That  scorched  at  noon  and  withered. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  271 

Such  is  life, — a  breath,  a  span, 

A  moment  quickly  gone  from  thee. 

What  is  death  ? — Oh  I  mortal  man  ! 
Thy  enti'ance  on  eternity. 


LIFE,  DEATH,  AND  ETERITY. 

[Anon. 
A  SHADOW  moving  by  one's  side. 

That  would  a  substance  seem, 
That  is,  yet  is  not, — though  descried — 

Like  skies  beneath  the  stream  : 
A  tree  that's  ever  in  the  bloom, 

Whose  fruit  is  never  ripe  ; 
A  wish  for  joys  that  never  come, — 

Such  are  the  hopes  of  Life. 

A  dark,  inevitable  night ; 

A  blank  that  will  remain  ; 
A  waiting  for  the  morning  light, 

When  waiting  is  in  vain  ; 


272  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

A  gulf  where  pathway  never  led 
To  show  the  depth  beneath  ; 

A  thing  we  know  not,  yet  we  dread,- 
That  dreaded  thing  is  Death. 

The  vaulted  void  of  purple  sky, 

That  everj'^ where  extends, 
That  stretches  from  the  dazzled  eye. 

In  space  that  never  ends  ; 
A  morning,  whose  uprisen  sun 

No  setting  e'er  shall  see  ; 
A  day  that  comes  without  a  noon, — 

Such  is  Eternity. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  273 


ON   PRAYER. 

[Cunningham. 
Through   the   skies  when   the  thunder   is 
huil'd 
The  child  to  its  parent  will  flee  ; 
Thus  amidst  the  rebukes  of  the  world, 
1  turn,  O  my  Father,  to  thee  ! 

In  vain  would  they  bid  me  retire  ; 

In  vain  would  they  silence  my  prayer  ; 
'Tis  eye-sight,  'tis  life,  I  require  ; 

I  seek  to  be  snatch'd  from  despair. 

In  this  valley  of  sorrow  and  strife, 

Prayer  shall  rise  with  my  earliest  breath ; 

It  shall  mix  in  the  business  of  life, 
And  soften  the  struggles  of  death. 


2*74  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

ON  PRAYER. 

Lord,  when  we  bend  before  thy  throne. 

And  our  confessions  pour, 
Teach  us  to  feel  the  sins  we  own, 

And  shun  what  we  deplore. 

Our  contrite  spirits  pitying  see. 

And  penitence  impart ; 
And  let  a  healing  ray  from  thee 

Beam  hope  upon  the  heart/ 

When  our  responsive  tongues  essay 
Their  grateful  songs  to  raise  ; 

Grant  that  our  souls  may  join  the  lay, 
And  rise  to  thee  in  praise. 

When  we  disclose  our  wants  in  prayer 

May  we  our  wills  resign  ; 
And  not  a  thought  our  bosom  share, 

Which  is  not  wholly  thine. 


DEVOTIONAL      POETRY.  275 

Let  faith  each  meek  petition  fill, 

And  waft  it  to  the  skies ; 
And  teach  our  hearts  'tis  goodness  stUI 

That  grants  it  or  denies. 


THE  COMPLAINT.  i 

[H.  K.  White. 
It  is  not  that  my  lot  is  low, 
That  bids  th  s  silent  tear  to  flow  ; 
It  is  not  grief  that  bids  me  moan, 
It  is  that  I  am  all  alone. 

In  woods  and  glens  I  love  to  roam, 
When  the  tired  hedger  hies  him  home ; 
Or  by  the  woodland  pool  to  rest, 
When  pale  the  star  looks  on  its  breast. 

Y'et  when  the  silent  evening  sighs 
With  hallowed  air  and  symphonies, 


276  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

My  spirit  takes  another  tone, 
And  sighs  that  it  is  all  alone. 

The  autumn  leaf  is  sear  and  dead, 
It  floats  upon  the  water's  bed  ; 
I  would  not  be  a  leaf  to  die, 
Without  recording  sorrow's  sigh. 

The  woods  and  winds,  with  sudden  wail, 
Tell  all  the  same  unvaried  tale  ; 
I've  none  to  smile  when  I  am  free, 
And,  when  I  sigh,  to  sigh  with  me. 

Yet  in  my  dreams  a  form  I  view, 
That  thinks  on  me,  and  loves  me  too ; 
I  start,  and  when  the  vision's  flown, 
I  weep  that  I  am  all  alone. 


DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  277 

REMONSTRANCE. 

[Conder. 
But  art  thou  thus  indeed  alone, 

Quite  unbefriended — all  unknown  ? 

And  hast  thou  then  His  love  forgot, 

Who  formed  thy  frame,  and  fixed  thy  lot  ? 

Who  laid  his  Son  within  the  grave, 
Thy  soul  from  endless  death  to  save  : 
Who  gave  his  Spirit  to  console, 
And  make  thy  wounded  bosom  whole  ? 

Is  not  his  voice  in  evening's  gale? 
Beams  not  with  him  the  star  so  pale  ? 
Is  there  a  leaf  can  fade  or  die. 
Unnoticed  by  his  watchful  eye  ? 

Each  fluttering  hope,  each  anxious  fear, 
Each  lonely  sigh,  each  silent  tear, 
To  thine  Almighty  Friend  is  known, 
And  sayest  thou,  thou  art  all  alone  ? 
_ 


278  P  III  V  ATE     DEVOTION. 

FERVENT  VOWS  AND   PETITIONS. 

[Moravian  Hymn. 
Thee  will  I  love,  my  strength  and  tower, 

Tliee  will  I  love,  my  joy  and  crown ; 
Thee  will  I  love  with  all  my  power, 

In  all  my  works,  and  Thee  alone  ! 
Thee  will  I  love,  till  that  pure  fire 
Fill  my  whole  soul  with  chaste  desire. 

In  darkness  willingly  I  stray'd  ; 

I  sought  Thee,  yet  from  Thee  I  roved  : 
For    wide    my    wandering    thoughts    were 
spread. 

Thy  creatures  more  than  Thee  I  loved  ; 
And  row,  if  more  at  length  I  see, 
'Ti^  through  thy  light,  and  comes  from  Tiiee. 

I  thank  Thee,  uncreated  Sun, 

That  thy  bright  beams  on  me  have  shin'd 
I  thank  Thee,  who  hast  overthrown 

My  foes,  and  healed  my  wounde  d  mind ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  279 

I  thank  Thee,  whose  enlivening  voice 
Bids  my  freed  heart  in  Thee  rejoice. 

Give  to  my  eyes  refreshing  tears  ; 

Give  to  my  heart  chaste,  hallow'd  fires  : 
Give  to  my  soul,  with  filial  fears, 

The  love  that  all  heav'n's  host  inspires 
That  all  my  powers,  with  all  their  might, 
In  thy  sole  glory  may  unite. 

Thee  will  I  love,  my  Joy,  my  Crown ! 

Thee  will  I  love,  ray  Lord,  my  God  ! 
Thee  will  I  love,  though  all  may  frown. 

And  thorns  and  briars  pei-plex  my  road : 
Yea,  when  my  flesh  and  heart  decay, 
Thee  shall  I  love  in  endless  day. 


280  PRIVATE      DEVOTION, 


THE  POOR  MAN'S  PRAYER. 

[J.  C'onder. 
As  much  have  I  of  worldly  good 

As  e'er  my  master  had, 
I  diet  on  as  dainty  food, 
And  am  as  richly  clad, 
Though  plain  my  garb,  though  scant  my  board, 
As  Mary's  Son  and  Nature's  Lord. 

The  manger  was  his  infant  bed, 
His  home  the  mountain-cave  ; 

He  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head, 
He  borrowed  e'en  his  grave  ; 

Earth  yielded  him  no  resting  spot, 

Her  Maker,  but  she  knew  him  not. 

As  much  the  world's  good-will  I  share, 

Its  favors  and  applause, 
As  He  whose  blessed  name  I  bear. 

Hated  without  a  cause  ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         281 

Despised,  rejected,  mocked  by  pride, 
Betray'd,  foi'saken,  crucified. 

Why  should  I  court  my  Master's  foe  ? 

Why  should  I  fear  its  frown  ? 
Why  should  I  seek  for  rest  below  ? 

Or  sigh  for  brief  renown  ? 
A  pilgrim  to  a  better  land, 
An  hen*  of  joy  at  God's  right  hand. 


HERE  AND  THERE. 

[Hannah  More. 

Here,  bliss  is  short,  imperfect,  insecure  ; 

But  total,  absolute,  and  perfect  there. 

Here,  time's  a  moment,  short   our  happiest 

state  ; 
There,  infinite  duration  is  our  date. 
Here,  Satan   tempts,  and   troubles  e'en  the 

best ; 
There  Satan's  power  extends  not  to  the  blest ; 

24* 


282  TRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Ill  a  weak  simple  body,  here  I  dwell ; 

But  there  I  drop  this  frail  and  sickly  shell. 

Here,  my  best  thoughts  are  stained  with  guilt 
and  fear; 

But  love  and  pardon  shall  be  perfect  there. 

Here,  my  best  duties  are  defiled  with  sin; 

There,  all  is  ease  without,  and  peace  within. 

Here,  feeble  faith  supplies  ray  only  light ; 

There,  faith  and  hope  are  swallowed  up  in 
sight. 

Here,  love  of  self  my  fairest  works  destroys, 

There,  love  of  God  shall  perfect  all  my  joys. 

Here,  things,  as  in  a  glass,  are  darkly  shown, 

There,  I  shall  know  as  clearly  as  I'm  known. 

Frail  are  the  fairest  flowers  which  bloom  be- 
low ; 

There,  freshest  palms  on  roots  immortal  grow. 

Here,  wants  and  cares  perplex  my  anxious 
mind  ; 

But  spirits  there  a  calm  fruition  find. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  283 

Here,  disappointments  ray  best  schemes  des- 
troy ; 
Tkere,  those  that  sowed  in  tears  shall  reap  in 

joy- 

Here,  vanity  is  stamped  on  all  below ; 
Perfection,  there.,  on  eveiy  good  shall  grow. 
Here,  my  fond   heart  is   fastened   on  some 

friend, 
Whose  kindness  may,  whose  life  must,  have 

an  end; 
But  there,  no  failui-e  can  I  ever  prove, — 
God  cannot  disappoint,  for  God  is  love. 
Here,  Christ  for  sinners  suffered,  groaned,  and 

bled; 
But  there,  he  reigns   the   great  triumphant 

Head. 
Here,  mocked  and  scourged, he  wore  a  crown 

of  thorns  ; 
A  crown  of  glory  there  his  brow  adorns. 


284  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


Here,  error   clouds   the    will   and   dims  the 

sight ; 
There,  all  is  knowledge,  purity  and  light. 
Here,  so  imperfect  is  this  mortal  state, 
If  blest  myself,  I  mourn  some  other's  fate — 
At  every  human  wo  I  here  repine  ; 
The  joy  of  every  saint  shall  there  be  mine. 
Here,  if  I   lean,  the  world  shall  pierce  my 

heart ; 
But  there,  that  broken  reed  and  I  shall  part. 
Here,  on  no  promised  good  can  I  depend  ; 
But  there,  the  Rock  of  ages  is  my  friend. 
Here,  if  some  sudden  joy  delight  inspire, 
The  dread  to  lose  it  damps  the  rising  fire ; 
But  there,  whatever  good  the  soul  employ, 
Tnp   thought,  that  'tis   eternal,  crowns  the 

joy  J 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         285 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS. 

[James  Montgomery. 
Flowers,  wherefore  do  ye  bloom  ? 
— We  strew  thy  pathway  to  the  tomb. 

Stars,  wherefore  do  ye  rise  ? 
— To  light  thy  spu'it  to  the  skies. 

O  sun,  v/hat  makes  thy  beams  so  bright  ? 
— The  Word  that  said, — "Let  there  be  light." 

Nature,  whence  sprang  thy  glorious  flame? 
— My  Maker  called  me,  and  I  came. 

O  Light,  thy  subtle  essence  who  may  know  1 
— Ask  not ;  for  all  things  but  myself  1  show. 


What  is  yon  arch  which  everywhere  I  see? 
— The  sign  of  onmipresent  Deity. 


286           PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Winds,  whence  and  whither  do  ye  blow 

7 

— Thou  must  be  born  again  to  know. 

Bow  in  the  cloud,  what  token  dost  thou  bear ; 

— That  justice  still  cries  "  Strike,"  and  mercy 

"  Spare." 

Rise,  glitter,  break  ;    yet,   bubble,  tell 

the 

why? 

— To  show  the  course  of  all  beneath  the 

sky. 

Ocean,  what   law  thy  chainless  waves 

con- 

fined? 

— That  which  in    reason's  limits  holds 

thy 

mind. 

Time,  whither  dost  thou  flee  ? 

— I  travel  to  eternity. 

Eternity,  what  art  thou, — say  ? 

— Time  past,  time  present,  time  to  come- 

-to- 

day. 

DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  287 

Ye  Dead,  where  can  your  dwelling  be  ? 
— The  house  for  all  the  living; — come  and 
see. 

O  life,  what  is  thy  breath  1 
— A  vapor  lost  in  death. 

O  Death,  how  ends  thy  strife  ? 
— In  everlasting  life. 

O  Grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ? 
— Ask  hiiii  who  rose  aaain  for  thee. 


RETIREMENT. 

[Cowper. 
Far  from  the  world,  O  Lord,  I  flee, 

From  strife  and  danger  far ; 
From  scenes  where  Satan  wages  still 

His  most  successful  war. 


288  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

The  calm  retreat,  the  quiet  shade, 
With  pray'r  and  praise  agree. 

And  seem  by  thy  sweet  bounty  ma^e 
For  tliose  who  follow  thee. 

There,  if  thy  Spirit  touch  the  soul, 

And  gi-ace  her  mean  abode, 
Oh,  with  what  joy,  and  peace,  and  love, 

She  communes  with  her  God  ! 

There,  like  the  nightingale,  she  pours 

Her  solitary  lays, 
Nor  asks  a  witness  to  her  song, 

Nor  thirsts  for  human  praise. 

Author  and  Guardian  of  my  life. 
Sweet  source  of  light  divine  f 

And,  all  harmonious  names  in  one. 
My  Saviour  ! — tbou  art  mine  I 


DEVOTIONAL      POETRY,  289 

What  thanks  I  owe  thee,  and  what  praise, 

A  boundless,  endless  store, 
Shall  echo  through  the  realms  above, 

When  time  shall  be  no  more. 


RETIREMENT, 

[Cminingham. 
Come,  escape  from  the  tempests  of  life, 

From  the  world  to  the  desert  retire  ; 

Quit  this  region  of  tumult  and  sti'ife, 

To  rekindle  the  heavenly  fire. 

Poor  pilgrim  !  thy  strength  must  be  sought 
In  the  heart-breathing  accents  of  prayer 

In  public  the  battle  be  fought. 

But  in  secret  the  weapon  prepare. 

Oh,  rest  from  thy  labors  awhile  ; 

Go  alone,  on  the  mount,  with  thy  Lord : 
Go,  bask  in  the  beam  of  his  smile, 

And  feed  on  the  wealth  of  his  word. 


25 


290  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

INFLUENCE   OF   COMMUNIOx^ 
WITH  GOD. 

[Cowper. 
When  one,  that  holds  communion  with  the 

skies, 
Has  filled  his  urn  where  these  pure  waters 

rise, 
And   once    more    mingles  with   us    meaner 

things, 
'Tis  e'er  as  if  an  angel  shook  his  wings  ; 
Immortal  fragrance  fills  the  circuit  wide, 
That  tells  us  whence  his  treasures  are  sup- 

j)lied. 
So  when  the  ship,  well  freighted  with  the 

stores 
The  sun  matures  on  India's  spicy  shores, 
Has  dropp'd   her   anchor,  and  her   canvass 

furl'd. 
In  some  safe  haven  of  our  western  world, 
'Twere  vain  inquiry  to  what  port  she  went. 
The  gale  informs  us,  laden  with  the  scent. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  291 

WALKING  WITH  GOD. 

[Cowper. 
Oh,  for  a  closer  walk  with  God, 

A  calm  and  heav'nly  frame  ; 
A  light  to  shine  upon  the  road 

That  leads  me  to  the  Lamb- 
Where  is  the  blessedness  I  knew 

When  first  I  saw  the  Lord  ? 
Where  is  the  soul-refreshing  view 

Of  Jesus  and  his  word  ? 

What  peaceful  hours  I  once  enjoy'd  ! 

How  sweet  their  mem'ry  still  ! 
But  they  have  left  an  aching  void, 

The  world  can  never  fill. 

Return,  O  holy  Dove,  return, 

Sweet  messenger  of  rest! 
I  hate  the  sins  that  made  thee  mourn, 

And  drove  thee  from  my  breast. 


292  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

The  dearest  idol  I  have  known, 

Whate'er  that  idol  be; 
Help  me  to  tear  it  from  thy  throne 

And  worship  only  thee. 

So  shall  my  walk  be  close  with  God, 
Calm  and  serene  my  frame  : 

So  pm-er  light  shail  mark  the  road 
That  leads  me  to  the  Lamb. 


DAILY  DUTIES,  DEPENDENCE  AND 
ENJOYMENT. 

[Christian  ObserA'er. 
"  For  whether  we  live,  we  live  xinto  the  Lord ;  and  whe- 
ther we  die,  we  die  \mto  the  Lord." 

Rom.  xiv.  9. 

When,  streaming  from  the  eastern  skies, 

The  morning  light  salutes  my  eyes, 

O  Sun  of  Righteousness  divine. 

On  me,  with  beams  of  mercy,  shine  ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         293 

Chase  the  dark  clouds  of  guilt  away, 
And  turn  my  darkness  into  day. 

When  to  Heaven's  great  and  glorious  King, 
My  morning  sacrifice  I  bring. 
And  mourning  o'er  my  guilt  and  shame,     . 
Ask  mercy  in  my  Saviour's  name, 
Then,  Jesus,  sprinkle  with  thy  blood, 
And  be  my  advocate  with  God. 

As  every  day  thy  mercy  spares. 
Will  bring  its  trials  and  its  cares, 

0  Saviour,  till  my  life  shall  end. 
Be  thou  my  counsellor  and  friend ; 
Teach  me  thy  precepts,  all  divine, 
And  be  thy  great  example  mine. 

When  pain  transfixes  every  part, 
And  languor  settles  at  the  heart ; 
When,  on  my  bed,  diseased,  opprest, 

1  turn,  and  sigh,  and  long  for  rest ; 


294  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

O  great  Physician  !  see  my  gi'ief, 
And  grant  tliy  servant  sweet  relief. 

Should  Poverty's  consuming  blow, 
Lay  all  my  worldly  comforts  low, 
And  neither  help  nor  hope  appear, 
My  steps  to  guide,  my  heart  to  cheer ; 
Lord  !  pity  and  supply  my  need, 
For  thou  on  earth,  wast  poor  indeed. 

Should  Providence  profusely  pour 
Its  various  blessings  in  my  store, 
O  keep  me  from  the  ills,  that  wait 
On  such  a  seeming  prosperous  state  : 
From  hurtful  passions  sefme  free, 
And  humbly  may  T  walk  with  thee. 

"When  each  day's  scenes  and  labors  close, 
And  wearied  nature  seeks  repose. 
With  pardoning  mercy  richly  blest. 
Guard  me,  my  Saviour,  while  I  rest : 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  295 

And,  as  each  morning  sun  shall  rise, 
O  lead  me  onward  to  the  skies. 

And,  at  my  life's  last  setting  sun. 
My  conflicts  o'er,  my  labors  done  ; 
Jesus,  thine  heavenly  radiance  shed, 
To  cheer  and  bless  my  dying  bed. 
And  from  death's  gloom  my  spirit  raise, 
"  To  see  thy  face,  and  smg  thy  praise." 


THE  BIRTH  OF  CHRIST. 

[Heber. 
Brightest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  morn- 

Dawn  on  om*  darkness,  and  lend  us  thine 
aid! 
Star  of  the  east  the  horizon  adorning. 

Guide  where  our  infant  Redeemer  is  laid. 


296  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Cold  on  his  cradle  the  dew-drops  are  shining, 
Low  lies  his  bed  with  the  beasts  of  the 
stall ; 

Angels  adore  him  in  slumber  reclining, 
Maker,  and  Monarch,  and  Saviour  of  all. 

Say,  shall  we  yield  him,  in  costly  devotion, 

Odors  of  Eden,  and  offerings  divine. 
Gems  of  the    mountain,  and  pearls    of  the 
ocean. 
Myrrh  from  the  forest,  and  gold  from  the 
mine  ? 


Vainly  we  offer  each  ample  oblation  ; 

Vainly  with  gold  would  his  favor  secure ; 
Richer  by  far  is  the  heart's  adoration, 

Dearer  to  God  are  the  prayers  of  the  poor ! 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         297 

Brightest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  morn- 
ing' 
Dawn  on  our  darkness,  and  lend  us  thine 
aid! 
Star  of  the  east  the  horizon  adorning, 

Guide  where  oui"  infant  Redeemer  is  laid. 


LIVING  TO  CHRIST. 

[Moravian  Hymn. 
O  DRAW  me,  Saviour,  after  Thee, 

So  shall  I  run  and  never  tire 
With  gracious  words  still  comfort  me  : 

Be  Thou,  my  hope,  my  sole  desire 
Free  me  from  every  weight:  nor  fear 
Nor  sin  can  come,  if  Thou  art  here. 


298  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

In  suffering  be  thy  love  my  peace, 
In  weakness  be  thy  love  my  power  : 

And  when  the  storms  of  life  shall  cease 
Jesus,  in  that  important  hour, 

In  death,  as  life,  be  thou  my  guide, 

And  save  me,  who  for  me  hast  died  ! 


FORSAKING  ALL  FOR  CHRIST. 

[Grant. 
Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken, 

All  to  leave,  and  follow  thee ; 
Naked,  poor,  despis'd,  forsaken, 

Thou,  from  hence,  my  all  shall  be  ; 
Perish  every  fond  ambition, 

All  I've  sought,  or  hop'd,  or  known. 
Yet  how  rich  is  my  condition, 

God  and  heaven  are  still  my  own. 


DEVOTIONAl     POETRY.  299 

Let  the  world  despise  and  leave  me  ; 

They  have  left  my  Saviour  too  : 
Human  hearts  and  looks  deceive  me, 

Thou  art  not,  like  them,  untrue  ; 
And  whilst  thou  shalt  smile  upon  me, 

God  of  wisdom,  love,  and  might, 
Foes  may  hate,  and  friends  may  scorn  me, 

Show  thy  face,  and  all  is  bright. 

Go,  then,  earthly  fame  and  treasure. 
Come  disaster,  scorn,  and  pain. 

In  thy  service  pain  is  pleasure, 
With  thy  favor  loss  is  gain. 

I  have  call'd  thee  Abba,  Father, 
1  have  set  my  heart  on  thee. 

Storms  may  howl,  and  clouds  may  gather, 

All  must  work  for  good  to  me. 

Man  may  trouble  and  distress  me, 
'Twill  but  drive  me  to  thy  breast ; 


300  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

Life  with  tiials  liard  may  press  me, 
Heaven  will  bring  me  sweeter  rest. 

Ob  !  'tis  not  in  grief  to  harm  me, 
While  thy  love  is  left  to  me  ; 

Oh  !  'twere  not  in  joy  to  charm  me  ; 
Were  that  joy  unmix'd  with  thee. 

Soul,  then  know  thy  full  salvation, 

Rise  o'er  sin,  and  fear,  and  care, 
Joy  to  find  in  every  station 

Something  still  to  do  or  bear  ; 
Think  what  Spirit  dwells  within  thee  ; 

Think  what  Father's  smiles  are  thine*, 
Think  that  Jesus  died  to  win  thee  : 

Child  of  heaven  canst  thou  repine  1 

Haste  thee  on  from  grace  to  glory, 
Arm'd  by  faith,  and  wing'd  by  prayer ; 

Heaven's  eternal  days  before  thee, 

God's  own  hand  shall  guide  thee  there. 


J 


DEVOTIONAL      POETRY.  301 

Soon  shall  close  thy  earthly  mission, 
Soon  shall  pass  thy  pilgrim  days  ; 

Hope  shall  change  to  glad  fruition, 
Faith  to  sight,  and  prayer  to  praise. 


MEDITATING  OM  THE  CROSS. 

Sweet  the  moments,  rich  in  blessing 

Which  before  the  cross  T  spend ; 
Life,  and  health,  and  peace  possessing 

From  the  sinner's  dying  Friend. 
Here  I'll  sit  for  ever  viewing, 

Mercy\i  stream»^W-^r©anw^  of  blood 
Precious  drops  my  soul  bedewing, 

Plead  and  Gak»my  peace  with  Gud. 

Truly  blessed  is  this  station. 

Low  before  his  cross  to  lie, 
While  I  see  divine  compassion 

Fl©ftfeag  in  his  languid  eye  : 


26 


302 


PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


Here  it  is  I  find  my  heaven, 
While  upon  the  Lamb  I  gaze, 

Love  I  much  ? — I've  much  forgotten, 
I'm  a  miracle  of  grace. 

Love  and  gi'ief  my  heart  dividing, 

With  my  tears  his  feet  I'll  bathe, 
Constant  still  in  faith  abiding. 

Life  deriving  from  his  death: 
May  1  still  enjoy  this  feeling, 

In  all  need  to  Jesus  go  ; 
Prove  his  wounds  each  day  more  healing, 

And  himself  more  deeply  knovsr. 


A  SACRAMENTAL  HYMN. 

Bread  of  heaven  ! — on  thee  I  feed. 
For  thy  flesh  is  meat  indeed  ; 
Ever  may  my  soul  be  fed 
With  this  true  and  living  bread  ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  303 

Day  by  day  with  strengtli  supplied, 
Through  the  life  of  him  who  died. 

Vine  of  heaven  ! — thy  blood  supplies 
This  blest  cup  of  sacrifice. 
'Tis  thy  wounds  my  heahng  give  : 
To  thy  cross  I  look,  and  live. 
Thou,  my  life  !  Oh !  let  me  be 
Rooted,  grafted,  built  on  thee  ! 


THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF 

ME. 

[Noel. 

If  human  kindness  meets  return, 

And  owns  the  grateful  tie ; 
If  tender  thoughts  within  us  burn, 

To  feel  a  friend  is  nigh  : 


304        p  R  r  V  A  r  E     d  e  v  o  t  ion. 

Oh,  shall  not  warmer  accents  tell 

The  gratitude  we  owe 
To  Him  who  died,  om-  fears  to  quell, 

Our  more  than  orphan's  wo  ! 

While  yet  his  anguish'd  soul  survey'd 

Whose  pangs  he  would  not  flee; 
What  love  his  latest  words  display'd — 

"  Meet  and  remember  me  !" 
Remember  Thee  ! — thy  death,  thy  shame, 

Our  sinful  hearts  to  share  : 
Oh,  memory,  leave  no  other  name 

But  His  recorded  there  ! 


COMFORT   IN    AFFLICTION. 

[Moore. 
Oh,  thou  who  dry'st  the  mourner's  tear, 

How  dark  this  world  would  be, 

If,  when  deceiv'd  and  wounded  here. 

We  could  not  fly  to  thee  ! 


DEVOTIONAL      POETRY.         305 

The  friends  who  in  our  sunshine  live, 
When  winfer  comes,  are  flown ; 
And  he  who  has  but  tears  to  give, 
Must  weep  those  tears  alone  ; 
Bat  thou  wilt  heal  that  broken  heart, 
Which,  like  the  plants  that  throw 
Their  fragi'ance  from  the  wounded  part. 
Breathes  sweetness  out  of  wo. 

When  joy  no  longer  soothes  or  cheers. 
And  e'en  the  hope  that  threw 
A  moment's  sparkle  o'er  our  tears, 

Is  dimm'd  and  vanish'd  too  ! 

Oh,  who  could  bear  life's  stormy  doom, 

Did  not  thy  wing  of  love 

Come  brightly  wafting  through  the  gloom 

One  Peace-Branch  from  above  ! 

Then  sorrow,  touched  by  thee,  grows  bright 

With  more  than  rapture's  ray  ; 

As  darkness  shows  us  worlds  of  light 

We  never  saw  by  day. 


i       306  PRIVATE      DEVOTION 


COMFORT  UNDER  AFFLICTION. 

[Grant. 

When  gathering  clouds  around  I  view, 
And  days  are  dark,  and  friends  are  few, 
On  Him  I  lean,  who  not  in  vain 
Experienced  every  human  pain. 
He  sees  my  griefs,  allays  my  fears. 
And  counts  and  treasures  up  my  tears. 

If  aught  should  tempt  my  soul  to  stray 
From  heavenly  wisdom's  narrow  way  ; 
To  fly  the  good  I  would  pursue. 
Or  do  the  thing  I  would  not  do ; 
Still  He,  who  felt  temptation's  power. 
Shall  guard  me  in  that  dangerous  hour. 

If  wounded  love  my  bosom  swell, 
Despised  by  those  I  prized  too  well ; 
He  shall  his  pitying  aid  bestow, 
Who  felt  on  earth  severer  wo ; 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  307 

At  once  betrayed,  denied,  or  fled, 
By  those  who  shared  his  daily  bread. 

When  vexing  thoughts  within  me  rise, 
And,  sore  dismayed,  my  spirit  dies; 
Yet  He  who  did  vouchsafe  to  bear 
The  sickening  anguish  of  despair, 
Shall  sweetly  soothe,  shall  gently  dry. 
The  throbbing  heart,  the  streaming  eye. 

When  mourning  o'er  some  stone  1  bend, 
Which  covers  all  that  was  a  friend ; 
And  from  his  voice,  his  hand,  his  smile, 
Divides  me  for  a  little  while  ; 
Thou,  Saviour,  mark'st  the  tears  I  shed, 
For  thou  didst  weep  o'er  Lazarus  dead. 

And  O  !  when  1  have  safely  passed 
Through  every  conflict  but  the  last ; 
Still,  still  unchanging,  watch  beside 
My  painful  bed — for  thou  hast  died  ; 

25^ 


308  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

Then  point' to  realms  of  cloudless  day, 
And  wipe  the  latest  tear  away. 


RESIGNATION. 

[Edmeston. 
Oh,  thou  whose  mercy  guides  my  way, 

Though  now  it  seem  severe; 
Forbid  my  unbelief  to  say, 

There  is  no  mercy  here  ! 

Oh,  gi-ant  me  to  desire  the  pain 
That  comes  in  kindness  down, 

More  than  the  world's  supremest  gain 
Succeeded  by  a  frown. 

Then,  though  thou  bend  my  spirit  low, 

Love  only  shall  I  see  ; 
The  very  hand  that  strikes  the  blow 

Was  wounded  once  for  me. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  309 

RESIGNATION  TO  PROVIDENCE. 

[Darwin. 
The  Lord ;  how  tender  is  his  love, 

His  justice,  how  august ; 
Hence  all  her  fears  my  soul  derives. 

There  anchors  all  her  trust. 

He  showers  the  manna  from  above, 

To  feed  the  barren  waste  ; 
Or  points  with  death  the  rushing  hail. 

And  famine  waits  the  blast. 

He  bids  distress  forget  to  groan, 

The  sick  from  anguish  cease  ; 
In  dungeons  spreads  his  healing  wing. 

And  softly  whispers — peace. 

His  vengeance  rides  the  rushing  wind 

Or  tips  the  bolt  with  flame  : 
His  goodness  breathes  in  every  breeze. 

And  warms  in  every  beam. 


310  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

For  me,  O  Lord !  whatever  lot 
The  hours  commissioned  bring  ; 

If  all  my  withering  blessings  die, 
Or  fairer  clusters  spring  ; 

Oh  I  grant  that  still  with  grateful  heart, 
My  years  resigned  may  run  ; 

'Tis  thine  to  give,  or  to  resume  ; 
And  may  thy  will  be  done  ! 


THE   COVENANTERS'   COMMUNION. 

[Vedder. 
When  the  orb  of  morn  enlightens 

Hill  and  mountain,  mead  and  dell ; 
When  the  dim  horizon  brightens, 

And  the  serried  clouds  dispel ; 
And  the  sun-flower  eastward  bending, 

Its  fidelity  to  prove  : — 
Be  thy  gratitude  ascending 

Unto  him  whose  name  is  Love. 


DEVOTIONAL      POETRY.  311 

When  the  vesper-star  is  beaming 

In  the  coronet  of  even  ; 
And  the  lake  and  river  gleaming 

With  the  ruddy  hues  of  heaven  ; 
When  a  thousand  notes  are  blending 

In  the  forest  and  the  gi'ove  ; — 
Be  thy  gratitude  ascending 

Unto  him  whose  name  is  Love. 

When  the  stars  appear  in  millions, 

In  the  portals  of  the  west, 
Bespangling  the  pavilions 

Where  the  blessed  are  at  rest; 
When  the  milky-way  is  glowing 

In  the  cope  of  heaven  above  ; — 
Let  thy  gratitude  be  flowing 

Unto  him  whose  name  is  Love. 


26 


312  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


COMMUNION  WITH  CHKIST. 

[Noel. 
When  in  the  hours  of  lonely  wo, 
I  give  my  sorrows  leave  to  flow  ; 
And  anxious  fear  and  dark  distrust 
Weigh  down  my  spirit  to  the  dust : 

When  not  e'en  friendship's  gentle  aid 
Can  heal  the  wounds  the  world  has  made, 
Oh,  this  shall  check  each  rising  sigh, — 
That  Jesus  is  forever  nigh. 

His  counsels  and  upholding  care 
My  safety  and  my  comfort  are ; 
And  he  shall  guide  me  all  my  days, 
Till  glory  crown  the  work  of  grace. 

Jesus,  in  whom  but  thee  above 
Can  I  repose  my  trust,  my  love  ? 


DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  313 

And  shall  an  earthy  object  be 
Lov'd  in  comparison  with  thee  ? 

My  flesh  is  hastening  to  decay, 

Soon  shall  the  world  have  pass'd  away ; 

And  what  can  mortal  friends  avail, 

When  heart,  and  strength,  and  life  shall  fail? 

But  oh,  be  thou  my  Saviour  nigh, 
And  I  will  triumph  while  I  die  ! 
My  strength,  my  portion  is  divine, 
And  Jesus  is  for  ever  mine  ! 


SEPARATION. 

[Anon. 
When  forced  to  part  from  those  we  love. 

If  sure  to  meet  to-morrow, 
We  still  a  pang  of  anguish  prove, 

And  feel  a  touch  of  son-ow. 


27 


314  TRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

But  who  can  paint  the  briny  tears 
We  shed  when  thus  we  sever, 

If  forced  to  part,  for  months,  for  years. 
To  part — perhaps /or  ever  I 


ANSWER 

[Dudley. 
But  if  our  thoughts  are  fixed  aright, 

A  cheering  hope  is  given, 
Though  here  our  prospects  end  in  night, 

We  meet  again  in  heaven. 

Yes,  if  our  souls  are  raised  above, 
'Tis  sweet  when  thus  we  sever. 

Since  parting  in  a  Saviour's  love. 
We  part  to  meet  for  ever! 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         315 


WHAT  IS  LIFE  ? 

[H.  G.  R. 

I  ASKED  a  man  of  sorrow  and  of  tears, 
Whose  looks  told  anguish  pressed  him  more 

than  years  ; 
He  mused  awhile,  and  then  distinctly  said, 
"  Life  is  burden — would  that  I  were  dead." 

I  asked  a  Christian  who  had  early  strayed 
From  virtue's  paths;    this  was   the   answer 

made — 
"Life  is  a  precious  boon  to  mortals  given, 
Which,  if  well  snent,  will  be   renewed  in 

heaven." 

1  asked  a  youth,  whose  cheerfulness  of  mien 
Bespoke  him  happy  in  this  active  scene ; 
He  told  me  'twas  "a  poet's  golden  dream ;" 
And   leaving   me,  rushed  forward  with  the 
stream. 


316  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

I  questioned  age ;  it  heaved  a  heavy  sigh, 
Expressing  volumes  ;  this  was  its  reply — 
"  Life  is  at  best  but  a  tempestuous  sea, 
That  ftist  rolls  onward  to  eternity." 

1  asked  myself,  a  voice  appeared  to  say — 
"  Beware  you  value  it  while  yet  you  may  ; 
'Tis  a  rich  gift  thy  God  bestowed  on  thee ; 
Abuse  it  not — 'twere  better  not  to  be." 


WHAT  IS  TIME  ? 

[Marsden. 
I  ASKED  an  aged  man,  a  man  of  cares, 
Wrinkled,  and  curved,  and  white  with  hoary 

hairs  ; 
"Time  is  the  wmy  of  life,"  he  said,  "O  tell 
The  young,  the  fair,  the  gay  to  weave  it 

well  I" 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  3l7 

1  asked  the  ancient  venerable  dead, 
Sages  who  wrote,  and  warriors  who  bled  ; 
From  the  cold  grave  a  hollow  murmur  flowed, 
"  Time  sowed    the  seeds  we   reap    in   this 
abode  !" 

1  asked  a  dying  sinner,  ere  the  stroke 

Of  ruthless  death   hfe's    "  golden  bowl  had 

broke  ;" 
I  asked  him,  What  is  time?     "Time,"  he 

replied, 
"  I've  lost  it.    Ah  the  treasurer  and  he  died! 

I  asked  the  golden  sun  and  silver  spheres. 
Those    bright   chronometers    of    days    and 

years ; 
They   answered,    "  Time    is  but  a  meleors 

glare," 
And  hade  me  for  eternity  prepare. 


37 


318  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

I  asked  the  seasons,  in  their  annual  round 
Which  beautify,  or  desolate  the  ground  ; 
And  they  replied,  (no  oracle  more  wise,) 
"  'Tis    folly's   hlankt   and    wisdom's    highest 
'prize  P^ 

I  asked  a  spirit  lost,  but,  O  the  shriek 

That  pierced  my  soul !     I  shudder  while  I 

speak  ! 
It  cried,  "  A  particle!  a  speck!  a  mite 
Of  endless  years,  duration  infinite  !" 

Of  things  inanimate,  my  dial  I 
Consulted,  and  it  made  me  this  reply, 
"  Time  is  the  season  fair  of  living  well, 
The  path  to  glory,  or  the  path  to  hell." 

I  asked  my  Bible,  and  methinks  it  said, 
"  Thine  is  the  present  hour  the  past  is  fled  ; 
Live!  live  to-day  !  i(o -worroiy  never  yet, 
On  any  human  being,  rose  or  set !" 


DEVOTIOXAL     POETRY.         319 

I  asked  old  father  Time  himself  at  last ; 
But  in  a  moment  he  flew  swiftly  past ; 
His  chariot  was  a  cloud,  the  viewless  wind 
His  noisless  steeds,  that  left  no  trace  behind. 

I  asked  the  mighty  angel,  who  shall  stand, 
One  foot  on  sea,  and  one  on  solid  land  : 
"By  heaven's  great  King,  I  swear  the  mys- 

teiy's  o'er ! 
Time  u-crs,"  he  cried, — "but  time  shall  be  no 

more!'* 


TO-MORROW.    Proverbs  xxvii.  2. 

[Knox. 

To-MORROw  ! — mortal,  boast  not  thou 

Of  time  and  tide  that  are  not  now ! 

But  think,  in  one  revolving  day 

How  earthly  things  may  pass  away ! 


320  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

To-day — while  hearts  with  rapture  spring, 
The  youth  to  beauty's  lip  may  cling ; 
To-morrow — and  that  lip  of  bliss 
May  sleep  unconscious  of  his  kiss. 

To-day — the  blooming  spouse  may  press 
Her  husband  in  a  fond  caress  ; 
To-morrow — and  the  hands  that  pressed 
May  wildly  strike  her  widowed  breast. 

To-day — the  clasping  babe  may  drain 
The  milk-stream  from  its  mother's  vein  ; 
To- morrow,  like  a  frozen  rill, 
That  bosom-current  may  be  still. 

To-day — thy  merry  heart  may  feast 
On  herb  and  fruit,  and  bird  and  beast ; 
To-morrow — spite  of  all  thy  glee, 
The  hungry  worms  may  feast  on  thee. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  321 

To-morrow  ! — mortal,  boast  not  thou 
Of  time  and  tide  that  are  not  now  ! 
But  think,  in  one  revolving  day 
That  e'en  thyself  may'st  pass  away. 


HOPE  IN  THE  RESURRECTION. 

[H.  K.  White. 
Through  sorrow's  night,  and  danger's  path, 

Amid  the  deepening  gloom, 
We  soldiers  of  an  injured  King 

Are  marching  to  the  tomb. 

There,  when  the  turmoil  is  no  more, 

And  all  our  powers  decay. 
Our  cold  remains  in  solitude 

Shall  sleep  the  years  away. 


322  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 


Our  labors  done,  securely  laid 

In  this  our  last  retreat, 
Unheeded  o'er  our  silent  dust 

The  storms  of  life  shall  beat. 

Yet  not  thus  lifeless,  thus  inane. 

The  vital  spark  shall  lie, 
For  o'er  life's  wreck  that  spark  shall  rise, 

To  seek  its  kindred  sky. 

These  ashes  too,  this  little  dust, 
Our  Father's  care  shall  keep, 

Till  the  last  angel  rise  and  break 
The  long  and  dreary  sleep. 

Then  love's  soft  devs^  o'er  every  eye, 

Shall  shed  its  mildest  rays. 
And  the  long  silent  dust  shall  burst 

With  shouts  of  endless  praise. 


DEVOTIOXAL     POETRY,  323 


RESURRECTION. 

[Anon. 
Our  life  how  short !  a  groan,  a  sigh  ; 
We  hve — and  then  begin  to  die  : 
But  oh !  how  great  a  mercy  this, 
That  death's  a  portal  into  bliss  ! 

JMy  soul !  death  swallows  up  thy  fears 
My  grave-clothes  wi  way  all  tears  ; 
Why  should  we  fear  this  parting  pain. 
Who  die,  tliat  we  may  live  again. 


STEADY  PURSUIT  OF  HEAVEN. 

[Moore. 
The  dove  let  loose  in  eastern  skies, 

Returning  fondly  home, 
Ne'er  stoops  to  earth  her  wing,  nor  flies 

Where  idler  warblers  roam  ; 


;24  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

But  high  she  shoots  through  air  and  Hght, 

Above  all  low  delay. 
Where  nothing  earthly  bounds  her  flight, 

Nor  shadow  dims  her  way. 

So  grant  me,  Lord  !  from  every  stain, 

Of  sinful  passion  free, 
Aloft,  through  virtue's  purer  air, 

To  steer  my  course  to  thee  ! 

No  sin  to  cloud,  no  lure  to  stay, 
My  soul,  as  home  she  springs, 

Thy  sunshine  on  her  joyful  way. 
Thy  freedom  on  her  wings. 


DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  325 


HEAVEN. 

[Bowring. 
The  golden  palace  of  my  God 

Towering  above  the  clouds  I  see, 
Beyond  the  cherub's  bright  abode, 

Higher  than  angels'  thoughts  can  be : 
How  can  I  in  those  courts  appear. 

Without  a  wedding-garment  on  ? 
Conduct  me,  thou  life-giver,  there. 

Conduct  me  to  thy  glorious  throne ; 
And  clothe  me  with  thy  robes  of  light, 
And  lead  me  through  sin's  darksome  night, 
My  Saviour  and  my  God. 


THE  HEAVENLY  REST. 

[Anon. 
There  is  an  hour  of  peaceful  rest. 
To  mourning  wanderers  given ; 


28 


326  PRIVATE      D  E  V  0  T I  O  X . 

There  is  a  joy  for  souls  distressed, 
A  balm  for  every  wounded  breast — 
'Tis  found  above — in  heaven. 

There  is  a  soft,  a  dovv^ny  bed, 

'Tis  fair  as  breath  of  even, 
A  couch  for  weary  mortals  spread, 
Where  they  may  rest  the  aching  head, 

And  find  repose,  in  heaven  ! 

There  is  a  home  for  weary  souls, 

By  sin  and  sorrow  driven  ; 
When  tossed  on  life's  tempestuous  shoals, 
Where  storms  arise,  and  ocean  rolls, 

And  all  is  drear  but  heaven  ! 

There  faith  lifts  up  her  cheerful  eye 

To  brighter  prospects  given  ; 
And  views  the  tempest  passing  by, 
The  evening  shadows  quickly  fly 

And  all  serene  in  heaven  ! 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  327 

There  fragrant  flowers,  immortal  bloom, 

And  joys  supreme  are  given  : 
There  rays  divine  disperse  the  gloom: 
Beyond  the  confines  of  the  tomb, 

Appears  the  dawn  of  heaven. 


THE  HEAVENLY  SABBATH. 

[Doddridge. 
Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  hear  om*  vows, 
On  this  thy  day,  in  this  thine  house  ; 
And  own,  as  grateful  sacrifice. 
The  songs  which  from  the  desert  rise. 

Thine  earthly  Sabbaths,  Lord,  we  love  ; 
But  there's  a  nobler  rest  above  ; 
To  that  our  laboring  souls  aspire, 
With  ardent  hope  and  strong  desire. 


328  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

No  more  fatigue,  no  more  distress, 
Nor  sin,  nor  death,  shall  reach  that  place 
No  tears  shall  mingle  with  the  songs 
That  warble  from  immortal  tongues. 

No  rude  alarms  of  raging  foes. 
No  cares  to  break  the  long  repose, 
No  midnight  shade,  no  clouded  sun — 


O  long  expected  day,  begin  ; 
Dawn  on  these  realms  of  wo  and  sin 
Fain  would  we  leave  this  weary  road 
And  sleep  in  death  to  rest  with  God. 


THE  HEAVENLY  TEMPLE. 

[Logan. 
Where  high  the  heavenly  temple  stands, 
The  house  of  God  not  made  with  hands. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         329 

A  great  High  Priest  our  natui-e  wears, 
The  guardian  of  mankind  appears. 

He  who  for  men  their  surety  stood, 
And  pour'd  on  earth  his  precious  blood. 
Pursues  in  heaven  his  mighty  plan. 
The  Saviour  and  the  friend  of  man. 

Though  now  ascended  up  on  high, 
He  bends  on  earth  a  brother's  eye  ; 
Partaker  of  the  human  name. 
He  knows  the  frailty  of  our  frame. 

Our  fellow-suff' rer  yet  retains 
A  fellow-feeling  of  our  pains. 
And  still  remembers  in  the  skies, 
His  tears,  his  agonies,  and  cries. 

In  every  pang  that  rends  the  heart, 
The  Man  of  sorrows  had  a  part ; 


330  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

He  sympathizes  with  our  grief, 
And  to  the  suff' rer  sends  relief 

With  boldness,  therefore,  at  the  throne 
Let  us  make  all  our  sorrows  known, 
And  ask  the  aids  of  heavenly  power, 
To  help  us  in  the  evil  hour. 


THE  DAY  AFTER  JUDGMENT. 

[Montgomery. 
The  days  and  years  of  time  are  fled. 

Sun,  moon,  and  stars  have  shone  their  last. 
The  earth  and  sea  gave  up  their  dead, 

Then  vanished  at  the  archangel's  blast : 
All  secret  things  have  been  revealed, 
Judgment  is  past,  the  sentence  sealed. 
And  man  to  all  eternity 
What  he  is  now  henceforth  must  be, 


DEVOTIONAL    POETRY.  331 

From  Adam  to  his  youngest  heir, 
Not  one  escaped  that  muster-roll ; 

Each,  as  if  he  alone  were  there. 
Stood  up,  and  won  or  lost  his  soul ; 

These  from  the  Judge's  presence  go 

Down  into  everlasting  wo  ; 

Vengeance  hath  barred  the  gates  of  hell. 

The  scenes  within  no  tongue  can  tell. 

But  lo  !  far  off  the  righteous  pass 

To  glory  from  the  King's  right  hand  ; 
In  silence,  on  the  sea  of  glass, 

Heaven's  numbers  without  number  stand, 
While  he  who  bore  the  cross  lays  down 
His  priestly  robe  and  victor-crown  ; 
The  mediatorial  reign  complete. 
All  things  are  put  beneath  his  feet. 

Then  every  eye  in  Him  shall  see, 

(While  thrones   and   powers   before   him 
fall,) 


332  PRIV^ATE     DEVOTION. 

The  fulness  of  the  Deity. 

Where  God  himself  is  all  in  all  : 
O  how  eternity  shall  ring 
While  the  first  note  the  ransomed  sing ! 
While  in  that  strain  all  voices  blend, 
Which  once  begun  shall  never  end. 

In  that  unutterable  song, 

Shall  I  employ  immortal  breath  ? 
Or  with  the  wicked  borne  along, 

For  ever  die,  the  "  second  death  ?" 
Jesus,  my  life,  my  light  thou  art; 
Thy  word  is  in  my  mouth,  my  heart ; 
Lord,  I  believe, — my  spirit  save 
From  sinking  lower  than  the  grave. 


ON  TIME. 

[Selleck  Osborae. 
Moved  by  a  strange  mysterious  power. 
That  hastes  along  the  rapid  hour, 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  333 

I  touch  the  deep-toned  string ; 
Even  now  I  saw  his  withered  face 
Beneath  yon  tower's  mouldering  base, 

Where  mossy  vestments  chng. 

Dark  rolled  his  cheerless  eye  around, 
Severe  his  gi'isly  visage  frowned, 

No  locks  his  head  arrayed ; 
He  grasped  a  hero's  antique  bust ; 
The  marble  crumbled  into  dust. 

And  sunk  amidst  the  shade  ! 

Malignant  triumph  filled  his  eyes  ; 
"See,  hapless  mortals,  see,"  he  cries, 

"  How  vain  your  idle  schemes. 
Beneath  my  grasp,  the  fairest  form 
Dissolves  and  mingles  with  the  worm  ; 

Thus  vanish  mortal  dreams. 

"  The  works  of  God  and  man  I  spoil ; 
The  noblest  proof  of  human  toil 


334  PRIVATE      DEVOTION 


I  treat  as  childish  toys — 
I  crush  the  noble  and  the  brave  ; 
Beauty  I  mar,  and  in  the  grave 

I  bury  human  joys." 

♦  Hold  !  ruthless  phantom,  hold  ! '  I  cried 
If  thou  canst  mock  the  dreams  of  pride. 

And  meaner  hopes  devour — 
Virtue,  beyond  thy  reach  shall  bloom, 
When  other  charms  sink  to  the  tomb. 

She  scorns  thy  envious  povi^er. 

On  frosty  wings  the  demon  fled, 
Howling,  as  o'er  the  wall  he  sped, 

"  Another  year  is  gone  !" 
The  ruined  spire — the  crumbling  tower, 
Nodding  obeyed  his  awful  power, 

As  TIME  flew  swiftly  on. 

Since  beauty  then  to  time  must  bow. 
And  age  deform  the  fairest  brow. 


D  K  V  O  T  I  O  X  A  L     P  O  E  T  it  Y  .  335 

Let  brighter  charms  be  yours — 
The  female  mind,  embalmed  in  truth, 
Shall  bloom  in  everlasting  youth, 

While  Time  himself  endures. 


FALLS  OF  NIAGARA.* 

[Robert  Fletcher. 
Beyond  the  deep  Atlantic  waves, 
These  fair  but  faded  flowerets  grew ; 
Where  dread  Niagara  falls  and  raves, 
They  sipped  the  pearls  of  morning  dew ; 
The  parent  root  that  gave  them  birth. 
Still  beautifies  the  distant  earth  ! 


*  Note— In  May  1828,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Patten,  of 
New  York,  was  on  a  visit  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  Fletcher,  of 
Stepney,  London,  having  occasion  to  refer  to  hi^  Pocket- 
Testament,  in  which  he  found  deposited  several  small  wild 
flowers,  which  he  had  plucked  at  the  Falls  of  Niagara  on 
the  preceding  summer,  the  conversation  turned  upon  that 
stupendous  waterfall.  Robert,  the  eldest  son,  who  had 
listened  with  deep  interest  to  the  description  which  was 
given  now  left  the  room,  and  in  about  thiny  minutes  re- 
turned, with  the  accompanying  stanzas. 


336  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

'Tis  Spring  !  and  many  a  lovely  flower, 
Clustei'ing  around  that  root  appears, 
Each  nurtured  by  a  gentle  shower 
Of  the  deep  torrent's  rainbow  tears ; 
And  each  rewarding  the  wild  bee 
With  nectar  for  his  minstrelsy. 

Sweet  flowers !  How  glorious  was  youi*  home ! 
Where,  startling  ear/A's  deep  caves  with  fright, 
And  shaking  heaven's  eternal  dome, 
Gigantic  cataracts  day  and  night, 
Adown  the  steep,  with  thundering  whirl, 
Their  endless  lightning  waters  hurl ! 

Built  by  the  golden  sun  by  day, 
And  by  the  silvery  moon  by  night, 
Is  seen,  amidst  the  torrent's  spray, 
An  everlasting  rainbow's  light ; 
Serene  above  the  cataract's  rage. 
Cheering  the  storm  it  can't  assuage  ! 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRF.  337 

But  while  her  hues  these  flowers  recall, 
With  all  the  wonders  of  theii-  clime, 
Mortal !  hear'st  thou  not  the  " fall" 
Of  the  dark  rolling  stream  of  "  time  " 
Into  a  deep  eternity  ? 
Is  mercy's  bow  there  spread  for  thee  ? 


SONG  OF  A  CHILD  ON  HEARING 
THE  WIND  BLOW. 

The  leading  ideas  of  the  following  lines  were  really  enter- 
tained by  a  young  lady  when  a  child. 

I  LOVE  to  listen  when  winds  blow  high, 
And  hear  the  music  of  the  sky, 
Because,  I  think  'tis  the  angel's  song, 
That   sounds  when  the   fleet  wind    sweeps 

along. 
Swift  as  they  ride  on  the  cars  of  cloud, 
Hark,  how  they  sing  to  their  fellows  aloud  ! 


29 


338  PRIVATE      DEVOTION 


We  catch  not  the  words,  but  the  sweet  notes 

swell 
Down  here  ;  and  this  music  I  love  so  well, 
Sounds  like  the  distant  notes  of  the  lay. 
Borne  by  the  gentle  breeze  away. 
When  the  earthly  good,  from  their  humble 

abode. 
Send  up  their  evening  praise  to  God. 

Now  with  awe  their  voices  are  still, 
Now  there's  a  sound  so  sweet  and  shrill, 
It  must  be  an  infant  such  as  I, 
But  lately  a  tenant  of  the  sky, 
Trying  the  powers  of  his  little  voice. 
While  the  rest  all  listen — now,  now  they  re- 
joice. 
And  join  with  him  in  the  praise  of  God, 
Wbo    washed   his    young   spirit   in    Jesua* 

blood, 
And  took  him  away  from  mortal  sorrow, 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.  339 


Before  his  little  heart  was  riven, 

For  a  bright  long  day  without  a  morrow, 

To  unite  with  them  in  the  songs  of  heaven. 

1  wish,  that  his  mother,  who  weeps  for  him, 

Could  hear  the  sound  of  his  joyful  hymn, 

And  see  how  happy  her  child  is  there 

In  those  blue  regions,  so  soft  and  fair ; 

I'm  sure  she'd  never  wenp  again. 

If  she  could  hear  that  heavenly  strain. 

Mother  !  if  I  should  ever  go. 
Where  the  angels  are  sitting  so, 
I'll  sing  so  loud,  that  the  winds  shall  bear 
My  voice  on  their  wings  to  my  mother's  ear; 
And  I'll  tell  you  not  to  weep  for  me, 
For  Mary  is  happy  as  she  can  be  ; 
And  I'll  pray  the  Highest  to  send  for  you, 
And  when  you  have  done  what  He's  given 
you  to  do, 


28^ 


340  PRIVATE     DEVOTION. 

Oh  then,  my  mother,  you  shall  come, 
Happy  and  glad  to  yom'  daughter's  home. 


THERE  IS  A  WORLD  WE  HAVE 

NOT  SEEN. 

[Anon. 
There  is  a  world  we  have  not  seen. 

Which  time  shall  never  dare  destroy  , 
Where  mortal  footstep  hath  not  been, 

Nor  ear  hath  caught  its  sounds  of  joy. 

There  is  a  region  lovelier  far 
Than  sages  tell,  or  poets  sing, 

Brighter  than  summer  beauties  are, 
And  softer  than  the  tints  of  spring. 

It  is  all  holy  and  serene, 

The  land  of  glory  and  repose  ; 

And  there,  to  dim  the  radiant  scene, 
The  tear  of  sorrow  never  flows. 


DEVOTIONAL     POETRY.         341 

It  is  not  fanned  by  summer  gale, 

'Tis  not  refreshed  by  summer  showers, 

It  never  needs  the  moon-beam  pale. 
For  there  are  known  no  evening  hours. 

In  vain  the  philosophic  eye 

May  seek  to  view  the  fair  abode, 

Or  find  it  in  the  curtained  sky — 
It  is  the  dwelling-place  of  God  ! 


RETIREMENT. 

[Bowrlng. 
"  He  was  there  alone  "  when  even 
Had  round  earth  its  mantle  thrown  ; 
Holding  intercouse  with  heaven, 

"  He  was  there  alone." 

29* 


342  PRIVATE      DEVOTION. 

There  his  inmost  heart's  emotion 
Made  he  to  his  Father  known  ; 
In  the  spirit  of  devotion. 

Musing  there  "  alone." 

So  let  us,  from  earth  retiring, 
Seek  our  God  and  Father's  throne  ; 
And  to  other  scenes  aspiring, 

"  Train  our  hearts  alone.' 

Thus  when  time  its  course  hath  ended, 
And  the  joys  of  earth  are  flown, 
We,  by  hope  and  bliss  attended. 

Shall  not  be  "  alone." 


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Serle's  Christiau     Remembrancer.     18mo.  56 

Sinner's  Friend.     ISmo,  25 

'^Sigourney  (Mrs.  L,  H.)  Water  Drops.     16mo.  75 

gilt,  extra,  1  25 

Sinclair's  Hill  and  Valley.     12mo.  60 

Charlie  Seymour.     18mo.  30 

Simeon's  Life,  by  Carus;  with  an  Introductory  Essay 

by  Bishop  Mcllvaine.     With  portrait.     8vo,  2  00 
Sir  Roland  Ashton,  a  Tale  of  the  Times.     By  Lady 

Catharine  Long      12mo.  75 
Smyth's  Bereaved  Parents  Consoled.     12mo.  75 
Sorrowing  Yet  Rejoicing.     ]8mo.  30 
32rao.  gilt,  30 
Stevenson's  Christ  on  the  Cross.     12mo.  75 
Lord  our  Shepherd.     12mo.  60 
Sumner's  Exposition  of  Matthew  and  Mark.     12mo.  75 
Suddard's  British  Pulpit.     2  vols.  8vo.  3  00 
Symington  on  the  Atonement.     12mo.  75 
on  the  Dominion.     12mo.  75 
Tacitus'  Works,  translated.     Edited  by  Murphy.     8vo. 
Tennent's  Life.     18mo.  25 
Tholuck's  Circle  of  Human  Life.     18mo,  30 
■-'  Tayloi''s  (Jane)  Life  and  Correspondence.     18mo.  40 
Contributions  of  Q.  Q.     2  vols.  80 
Original  Poems.     18mo.  30 
Display,  a  Tale.     18mo.  30 
Mother  and  Daughter  30 
Essays  in  Rhyme.     18mo.  30 
-•'  Turretine's  Complete  Works,  in  the  original  Latin. 
^The  Theological  Sketch  Book,  or  Skeletons  of  Sermons, 
so  ari'anged  as  to  constitute  a  complete  Body  of  Divi- 
nity.    From  Simeon,  Hannam,  Benson,  &c.     2  vols.  3  00 
Tyng's  Lectures  on  the  Law  and  Gospel.    New  edition, 

large  type,  with  a  fine  portrait.     8vo.  1  50 

Christ  is  All.     8vo.  With  portrait  1  50 
Israel  of  God.     8vo. 
9 


CARTERS*     PUBLICATIONS. 

Tyng's  Recoliectious  of  England.     12mo.  1  00 

Thucydides'  History  of  the  Pelopoimesian  War.   Trans- 
lated by  Wm.  Smith.     8vo. 
TunibulTs  Genius  of  Scotland,  or  Sketches  of  Scottish 

Scenery,  Literature,  and  Religion.     12mo.  1  00 

Pulpit  Oz'ators  of  France  and  Switzerland,  with 
Sketches  of  their  Character,  and  Specioiens  of  their 
Eloquence.     With  portrait  of  Fenelon,     12mo.  1  00 

VValerbury's  Book  for  the  Sabbath.     18mo.  40 

./  Whately's  Kingdom  of  Christ   and  Errors  of  Roman- 
ism.    8vo.  75 
Whitecross'  Anecdotes  on  the  Assembly's  Catechism  30 
White's  Meditation  on  Prayer.     18mo.  40 
Believer;  a  Series  of  Discourses.     18mo.  40 
Practical  Reflections  on  the  Second  Advent.   18mo.     40 
Wilson's  Lights  and  Shadows  of  Scottiph  Life.     ISmo.         .50 
Winslow  on  Personal  Declension  and  Revival.                          60 
Wylie's  Journey  overthe  Region  of  Fulfilled  Prophecy.         30 
Xenophon's   Whole    Works.     Translated   by   Cooper, 
Spelman,  Smith,  Fielding,  and  otheri.     8to. 

10 


Prrnceton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


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